NHS maternity units found to cover up harmful childbirth errors

An independent inquiry led by Baroness Amos reports that some NHS trusts have hidden or altered medical records after incidents causing harm in childbirth, and families have often been denied clear answers. Baroness Amos's final report is due in the coming months and local inquiries, including the Nottingham investigation, remain underway.

An independent inquiry led by Baroness Amos reports that some NHS trusts in England have hidden or altered medical records after incidents that caused harm in childbirth. The report says families were often denied clear answers and describes staffing pressures and rising clinical complexity as factors affecting care. The inquiry was commissioned last year by health secretary Wes Streeting after a series of high-profile maternity reviews. Baroness Amos's final report is due in the coming months while local investigations continue. Key findings: - Many families reported amended, withheld or redacted medical notes and described feeling there had been a cover-up, according to the inquiry. - The report states that negligent care has had severe emotional and psychological consequences for families and that disputes among staff can affect mothers' care. - It identifies staff shortages, increasing clinical complexity and worse outcomes for ethnic minority and poorer women as contributors to safety problems. - The government commissioned the independent inquiry; Baroness Amos's final recommendations are pending, a national taskforce is planned, and the Nottingham inquiry is scheduled to report in June. Summary: The inquiry concludes that secrecy and manipulation of records have compounded harm and hindered learning from past failures in maternity services. Officials have described the findings as evidence of systemic and recurring problems across the service. Baroness Amos's final recommendations are awaited in the coming months and related local inquiries continue.