The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has responded to the National State of Patient Safety 2024 report, which launched today (12 December 2024).
The report uses publicly available data to analyse performance against a range of key patient safety indicators.
This year’s findings show a marked worsening in some maternity safety indicators over the past two years, with increases in both maternal and neonatal deaths for the first time in a decade. The researchers also note continued disparities in outcomes, with women living in the most deprived areas having a maternal mortality rate more than twice as high as those in the least deprived areas. Women from black ethnic backgrounds are almost three times as likely to die from causes linked to their pregnancy than white women, and Black women responding to a poll linked to the report were far more likely to be concerned about safety in maternity services.
The report authors recognise that the government is unlikely to meet its targets of halving rates of stillbirths, neonatal and maternal deaths and brain injuries by 2025, and underline the continued need for prioritising improving safety and reducing inequalities in maternity and neonatal care.
It also recognises that whilst addressing waits for urgent care is the number one patient safety priority, waiting lists for elective care are at an all-time high with 7.6 million people waiting in June 2024. The impact of extended waits on people‘s safety must be considered.
Dr Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said:
“Today’s report reinforces that urgent progress is needed to ensure everyone accessing maternity services in this country receives high quality, compassionate care, tailored to their needs and circumstances.
“Maternity teams are working incredibly hard to provide the best care they can but are struggling against years of underinvestment. The Government must act now to deliver on its stated commitments, underpinned by funding and in close collaboration with women in affected groups.
“All parts of the maternity system have a role to play here. Initiatives like the Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth (ABC) programme, which the College is delivering with the Royal College of Midwives and The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute, are critical to improving neonatal outcomes and building confidence in maternity care”
“We also know from our Waiting for a way forward report that non-cancer gynaecology services are in crisis, with women waiting months and years with serious conditions affecting every part of their lives. We are calling for the government to deliver an urgent package of support for those currently waiting, and for long-term, sustained funding to address the complex systemic issues driving waiting list growth.”