British Health Minister Launches Major Maternity Services Probe

British health minister Wes Streeting has initiated a comprehensive investigation into maternity services across England, prompted by a series of infamous failures that have tragically led to the deaths of numerous infants and mothers.

Highlighting devastating lapses in care over two decades, significant scandals have unfolded at Morecambe Bay, East Kent, Shrewsbury and Telford, and Nottingham. The Shrewsbury and Telford review, for instance, revealed over 200 infant deaths and nine maternal fatalities stemming from care deficiencies.

Streeting emphasized the urgent need for system-wide reforms, stating that maternity care should exemplify the government's commitment to patient safety. The initiative will create unified measures for enhancement and involve a newly established National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce including experts and bereaved families.

(With inputs from agencies.)