Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Rejected
Require the investigation to prioritise racial disparities and consider impact of funding cuts.
Recommendation
We recommend that addressing racial disparities in maternal outcomes is one of the investigation’s core aims, and that this features prominently in the terms of reference for the second stage. We recommend that the investigation aligns with the priorities outlined by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body, specifically the defining of an accountability framework for maternity and neonatal services. Additionally, we recommend that the review carefully considers the impact of the significant reduction of ringfenced funding as outlined in this report. (Recommendation, Paragraph 45) Workforce
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the premise that maternity funding has been cut, stating that the same level of funding is provided but the ring-fence was removed to allow Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) more local flexibility. It did not directly address the recommendation to make racial disparities a core aim of investigations.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
This government has instructed the NHS to improve maternity services, as part of a drive to improve quality, as a priority in the Medium Term Planning Framework. Maternity funding has not been cut. The same level of funding is being delivered, but the ring-fence has been removed to allow local healthcare system leaders more autonomy to meet the needs of their local population. Maternity, which formed part of the Service Development Funding (SDF) in 2024 to 2025, has been transferred to ICB core allocations for 2025 to 2026 to allow local leaders more flexibility to serve the needs of their local populations. NHS England does not commission or budget for maternity services - this is the responsibility of ICBs. This approach is consistent with our wider intention to give local healthcare leaders - who are best placed to decide how to serve their local community - more flexibility. This type of approach is also normal practice across the NHS - ring-fenced SDF funding is provided to embed a new initiative with future funding then rolled into ICB baselines, which can then progress with the initiative in a way that works best locally.