A recent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation into services across England by the Maternal, Newborn and Infant Clinical Outcome Review (MBRRACE-UK) revealed that “racism and structural inequalities are embedded across England’s maternity system, putting Black mothers and babies at greater risk.” (1)
The report states:
“Racism and discrimination in healthcare operates at multiple levels. It is visible in differences in how people are treated and shows up through assumptions and bias and every day interactions between patients and staff. Racism can also be embedded within the systems that shape care, including clinical tools, training, policies and processes. Discrimination in all its forms, whether related to race, ethnicity, religion or other aspects of identity must be recognised and addressed.” (2)
The MBRRACE-UK report was published three years after the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee Black maternal health report stated:
“Too many Black women have experienced treatment that falls short of acceptable standards, and we are concerned that the Government and NHS leadership have underestimated the extent to which racism plays a role.” (3)
two years before this a report by the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust that revealed: “Black mothers endure ‘deep inequalities’ in postnatal mental healthcare.” (4) A similar timescale before that the 2019 UK Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths Black women in the UK were five times much more likely to die from complications surrounding pregnancy and childbirth than white women. (5)
In other words, there is more than enough data to confirm that this is a serious issue but rather than action what tends to be generated is more reports. It’s noteworthy that of the eight recommendations in the MBRRACE-UK report it only mentions racism explicitly in one of them:
“DHSC, NHSE, ICBs, NHS trusts, the Medical Council (GMC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) must treat racism, discrimination and inequality as a critical maternity safety issue – within 12 months, with work starting immediately.” (6)
One inference is that if the Afrikan community wants action on the maternity mortality crisis it will have to do it itself, particularly if the NHS seems unable or unwilling to address the issue. Community services that compliment and strengthen NHS provision could be an option. An example of this is Mimosa Midwives, a team of senior midwives with backgrounds across community, hospital, public health, research, education, and advocacy, established by experienced nurse Mama Elsie Gayle. (7)
Mimosa offers Continuity-based antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care; Homebirth support, including risk assessment, planning, and collaborative escalation; Antenatal education and birth preparation; Breastfeeding and early parenting support; Flexible community visits to increase access and engagement; Culturally safe, equity-focused care, supporting families who experience barriers and Clear communication and referrals, working within existing NHS systems. (8)
Continuity-of-care like that provided by Mimosa is linked to reduced intervention rates, fewer preterm births, higher satisfaction, and better safety outcomes. Mimosa Midwives delivers this model in a scalable, community-focused way, developing relationships of trust and confidence. (9)
Given the current political climate of unadulterated white grievance it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume if there appears to be little political will to address Black maternity mortality and related issues in less volatile times, there almost certainly won’t be any now. (10)
(1)Sinai Fleary (01/07/26) Black mothers said they weren’t being listened to. Now a major inquiry proves they were right. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news/2026/07/01/black-mothers-said-they-werent-being-listened-to-now-an-inquiry-proves-they-were-right/
(2) National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation (30/06/26) Independent Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England : Final report and recommendations. https://www.matneoinv.org.uk/final-reports/. p.32
(3) House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee (18/04/23) Black maternal health. https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/38989/documents/191706/default/. p. 25
(4) Leah Mahon (16/09/21) Black Maternal Health Week: Black mothers endure ‘deep inequalities’ in postnatal mental healthcare, reveals study. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/2021/09/16/black-maternal-health-week-black-mothers-endure-deep-inequalities-in-postnatal-mental-healthcare-reveals-study/
(5) Emma Kasprzak (12/04/19) Why are black mothers at more risk of dying? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-47115305
(6) National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation. p. 19
(7) Birthing Healthy Babies (2026) Mimosa Midwives. https://birthinghealthybabies.co.uk/mimosa-midwives/
(8) Ibid.
(9) Ibid.
(10) Banseka Kayembe (08/06/26) The New Politics Of Grievance. https://www.nakedpolitics.co.uk/the-new-politics-of-grievance/; Rachael Swindon (08/06/26) Disgraceful Nigel Farage is selling the nation ‘grievance fuel.’ https://www.thecanary.co/opinion/2026/06/08/swindon-nigel-farage-grievance/
Black Maternity Mortality: Will it ever be addressed?
1) Does the NHS have the will to address this issue, especially in the current political climate?
2) Do we need more reports on Black Maternity Mortality, etc.?
3) Are complimentary services the way forward?
4) If so, how can their capacity be increased?
Our Special Guest:
Mama Elsie Gayle: is a Jamaican born experienced independent midwife part of the Mimosa Midwives Practice and founder of ‘Midwifery Conversations’ a holistic non-governmental organisation dedicated to sustainable and ‘culturally safe’ maternity services (http://mimosamidwives.co.uk/). Having worked in Jamaica, the UK and Botswana, Sis. Elsie she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wolverhampton in 2017, recognising her “passion and commitment” passion towards midwifery and her commitment towards the BME community and women’s rights, particularly in the areas of childbirth and mental health services. In May 2019 Sis. Elsie was a recipient of the Iolanthe Award to will put on a conference aimed at ameliorating the root causes of black maternal and perinatal mortality, learning from international expertise in reproductive justice.
Sis. Elsie is regularly called upon to speak nationally and internationally and she is Patient Leader for NHS Midlands and East, and regional lead for maternity, obstetrics, patient safety and patient voice within the Healthwatch and Public Involvement Association. In addition to this she belongs to Wolverhampton’s African Caribbean Community Initiative. She works to reduce workplace bullying as chair of the Tim Field Memorial Lecture Committee; is a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s BME Research Advisory forum, dedicated to improving the regulatory experience of nurses and midwives; and co-chairs the Society of African and Caribbean Midwives in the UK.
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