Parents who provided evidence to the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation are calling for a statutory public inquiry following the publication of a new review. Families, including Lauren Caulfield and Gina and Peter Reeves, expressed dissatisfaction with the review’s recommendations, specifically the proposed appointment of a maternity commissioner, arguing that a more robust, independent investigation is required to determine accountability for systemic failures.
Lauren Caulfield, whose daughter Grace died in the days before her birth, stated she is “absolutely not” satisfied with the findings released today. Caulfield described the proposal to implement a maternity commissioner as “fundamentally dangerous,” arguing that such a role would lack the necessary independence to effectively address the issues. She urged for a shift toward a statutory public inquiry, which she believes is necessary “to understand exactly what has gone wrong” and identify “who has been responsible.”
Did You Know? The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation review highlighted that racism is “embedded throughout the maternity and neonatal system,” a finding that aligns with the personal experiences shared by families who provided evidence to the investigation.
Experiences of systemic failure
Gina and Peter Reeves, who also provided evidence to the investigation, spoke about their own experiences with the maternity system. Gina Reeves recounted the birth of her son, who died, noting that medical staff dismissed her physical state. “I was told that I didn’t look like I was in pain,” she said. She explained that while she did not scream or shout, her body entered a state of shock that was ultimately ignored by those providing her care.
Peter Reeves stated he was “not surprised” by the report’s confirmation of embedded racism within the system. However, he emphasized that the focus must now shift toward actionable change. He called for politicians to work together to improve outcomes for families, stating, “it’s not just what, it’s what we do next.”
What may happen next
Following the public criticism from families, the government may face increased pressure to reconsider the structure of its maternity oversight. A possible next step includes a debate on whether a maternity commissioner can provide the level of scrutiny requested by those who lost children under the current system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are families dissatisfied with the current review?
Families, including Lauren Caulfield, argue that the proposed maternity commissioner would not be “meaningfully independent” and that a statutory public inquiry is necessary to find out what went wrong and who is responsible.
What did the review find regarding systemic issues?
The review identified that racism is “embedded throughout the maternity and neonatal system.”
What are parents calling for now?
Parents are urging politicians to come together to improve outcomes for families and are calling for a statutory public inquiry to address the failures.
