Sherwood Forest MP plays leading role in creating England’s first statutory maternity commissioner
Sherwood Forest MP Michelle Welsh has welcomed the historic step to give maternity safety a permanent, independent voice.
Ms Welsh, the Government’s national maternity adviser, played a key role in pushing for the role of England’s first statutory maternity commissioner to be enshrined in law, in a landmark step towards making maternity safety a permanent priority for Government.
The new statutory role will provide an independent and powerful voice for mothers, babies and families, while representing those working on the frontline, including midwives and obstetricians.
The commissioner will also bring together charities, campaigners, professional bodies and organisations working to improve maternity safety, ensuring that the experiences and expertise of families and frontline staff are translated into meaningful action.
Ms Welsh said: “I am incredibly proud to have played a leading role within Government in making this happen.
“A maternity commissioner will not, on their own, solve every problem in maternity care.
"But creating a powerful, independent voice, established in law, is a historic and lasting step forward.
“The commissioner will endure beyond changes of ministers and Governments.
"They will champion the voices of mothers, babies and families, while representing those working on the frontline – including midwives and obstetricians – and bringing together the charities, campaigners and professional organisations determined to make maternity care safer.
“Throughout this work, I have listened to families, frontline staff, professional organisations and charities.
"Their experiences, expertise and determination have helped shape the case for lasting change.
“For too long, families have had to fight to be heard, while dedicated frontline staff have not always been listened to or properly supported.
"This role must help turn their experiences into action and ensure that uncomfortable truths can never again be ignored.
“This has been deeply personal to me.
"I have listened to families whose lives have been changed forever and I have promised them that their courage and campaigning must lead to lasting change.
“England’s first statutory maternity commissioner is a promise that maternity safety will remain at the heart of every Government.”
The move follows years of campaigning by families, maternity organisations, charities and campaigners for stronger accountability and a greater focus on maternity safety.
The statutory footing will mean the role is protected in law, providing continuity and ensuring maternity safety remains a priority beyond individual ministers or Governments.