Fourth Report - The safety of maternity services in England
Select Committee
Health and Social Care Committee
HC 19
6 July 2021
Government response
Command Paper: The Government's Response to the Health and Social Care Committee Report: Safety of maternity services in England · published 21 Sep 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
2
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 36
With 8 out of 10 midwives reporting that they did not have enough staff on...
Conclusion
With 8 out of 10 midwives reporting that they did not have enough staff on their shift to provide a safe service, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address staffing shortfalls in maternity services. Evidence submitted to …
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Government Response Summary
The government is considering this conclusion, noting recent investment for 1,200 additional midwives and 100 consultant obstetricians and the commissioning of a new workforce planning tool. They will take recommendations on funding for staffing into consideration and assess workforce levels, but do not commit to further funding at this stage.
Department of Health and Social Care
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3
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 37
We recommend that the budget for maternity services be increased by £200–350m per annum with...
Recommendation
We recommend that the budget for maternity services be increased by £200–350m per annum with immediate effect. This funding increase should be kept under close review as more precise modelling is carried out on the obstetric workforce and as Trusts …
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Government Response Summary
The government is considering the recommendation for an immediate budget increase for maternity services, noting recent investment and an ongoing assessment of workforce levels, but does not commit to the specific funding amount or immediate action.
Department of Health and Social Care
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18
Conclusion
Deferred
Providing appropriate financial redress to families after an incident is important.
Conclusion
Providing appropriate financial redress to families after an incident is important. However, the rising costs of maternity claims without sufficient learning and outdated mechanisms for calculating compensation is unsustainable. It is particularly unfair that wealthier families receive more compensation for …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it will publish a consultation on patient safety and rising clinical negligence costs, with decisions on next steps to be taken after the consultation, thereby deferring action on the issues raised in the committee's conclusion.
Department of Health and Social Care
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19
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 103
While the review of the negligence system is underway, we recommend the Department must implement...
Recommendation
While the review of the negligence system is underway, we recommend the Department must implement the Rapid Redress and Resolution Scheme in full. We also recommend the Department provides the Committee with the scope and timetable for its review of …
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Government Response Summary
The government plans to consult on next steps to address clinical negligence costs, stating that decisions will be made following this consultation, rather than committing to implement the Rapid Redress and Resolution Scheme in full or providing a review timetable.
Department of Health and Social Care
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20
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 104
We recommend that following that review, the Department brings forward proposals for litigation reforms that...
Recommendation
We recommend that following that review, the Department brings forward proposals for litigation reforms that award compensation for maternity cases based on whether an incident was avoidable rather than a requirement to prove clinical negligence. That approach would allow families …
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Government Response Summary
The government will publish a consultation on litigation reforms to improve patient safety and address rising costs, with decisions on next steps to be taken only after the consultation.
Department of Health and Social Care
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21
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 105
In addition, we recommend that the Department and NHS Resolution remove the need to compensate...
Recommendation
In addition, we recommend that the Department and NHS Resolution remove the need to compensate on the basis of private healthcare provision where appropriate NHS care is available; and that compensation is standardised against the national average wage to prevent …
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Government Response Summary
The Government plans to consult on next steps to address the rising costs of clinical negligence, with decisions to be made after the consultation.
Department of Health and Social Care
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