The impact of COVID-19 on maternal deaths
HSIB published its report on Maternal deaths during the first wave of COVID-19. The report takes a closer look at the impact that COVID-19 had during the initial period of March to May 2020.
HSIB published its report into Maternal deaths during the first wave of COVID-19. The report National Learning Report: Maternal death: learning from maternal death investigations during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic | HSIB takes a closer look at the impact that COVID-19 had during the initial period of March to May 2020.
HSIB considered 20 maternal deaths which occurred during this time frame to see whether the pandemic played a part and to consider how this could be addressed should we find ourselves in this situation again. In this report HSIB identify 7 key themes which include changing guidance and confusing messaging, unprecedented demand for health services and the pressures this placed on staff and the barrier created by the use of PPE.
HSIB spoke with the families of the women to understand their concerns to help them make recommendations for the future should we find ourselves in this scenario again. A strong message which came out from those family conversations was the impact of the restriction on women being able to take partners/family/friends to appointments or indeed to have them with them during the early part of labour. The requirement to attend alone left women without an advocate in what is already a vulnerable and emotional situation, further heightened by fears around the pandemic.
The report also identified an element of racial disparity in the figures and identifies that more work needs to be done to understand the increased risk of maternal deaths for women of Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and with higher socio-economic deprivation.
While it is important to remind ourselves that fortunately maternal deaths in the UK are rare, occurring in fewer than 10 per 100,00 pregnancies any baby left without a mother is one baby too many and so the work done by HSIB in reviewing the impact on maternal deaths from the pandemic can only be a positive step to seeking to reduce that figure even more.
Although the HSIB report is centred around maternal deaths in a pandemic the recommendations surrounding clearer communication with women, especially from the specific communities and backgrounds identified above are important for all providers of maternity services.
Contact
Mark Hickson
Head of Business Development
onlineteaminbox@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)370 270 6000
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Training
Mock inquest training course
Legal Update
Employment Healthcare Briefing: December 2024
Press Release
Comment on Older People's Housing Preferences report
Legal Update
Walking the fine line: The statutory duty of candour and insurance
Legal Update - Maternity services
Improving maternity safety: Insights from MNSI’s annual recommendation report
Legal Update
Navigating workplace sexual harassment laws during the festive season
Press Release
Comments on new MHRA clinical trial regulations
Online Event - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Coroner's Question Time
Online Event - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Duty of Candour
Opinion
Revolutionising the Workforce: Impact of Get Britain Working White Paper
Online Event - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Rising to health and care challenges and opportunities of 2025
Legal Update - Maternity services
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust invest in telemetry to improve maternity care and patient experience in labour
Legal Update
The new Mental Health Bill 2025: A closer look at its key provisions
Opinion - Shared Insights
Browne Jacobson submits recommendations and proposals to the government for England’s 10 Year Health Plan
Legal Update - Maternity services
Informed consent and caesarean birth: RCOG launches new obstetrics animation
Opinion
Key findings from the call for evidence on the statutory duty of candour
Press Release
Comment on Older People's Housing Taskforce report
Press Release
Browne Jacobson and NHS Transformation Unit explore provider group models in new report
Legal Update
Expanding your private patients unit roundtable
Opinion
Duty of candour and patient safety incidents: Proposed amendments to CQC Regulations
Legal Update
Building an inclusive workplace: Strategies for attracting and retaining disabled talent
On-Demand - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: CQC enforcement and prosecution in the health and care sector
Legal Update
Roundtable report: Community engagement in high street regeneration
Legal Update - Maternity services
MNSI annual report 2023/24: Key insights and future ambitions for maternity safety
Opinion
New Mental Health Bill to be introduced in Parliament
Opinion - Maternity services
Enhancing care for women with ectopic pregnancies: Insights from MBRRACE-UK
Guide
Guide to inquests for mental health patients
Legal Update
Ozempic: The rising costs and coverage issues of weight loss medication
Legal Update
ABC pilot: Improving maternity safety to prevent brain injuries in childbirth
Legal Update - Maternity services
DISCERN study published: How to improve discussions with families when things go wrong in maternity care
Opinion
Lord Darzi’s report on the NHS in England and the future of mental health care
Press Release
Browne Jacobson launches new HR services offering in health and social care
On-Demand - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Learning the lessons from national inquiries
Legal Update
Employment Healthcare Briefing: October 2024
Legal Update
What does the Supreme Court decision in Tesco v USDAW mean for NHS employers?
Legal Update
Hybrid working, the right to flexible working and how to make it work for public sector employers
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Decisions of the Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel
Legal Update
Strike breakthrough: Junior doctors agree to pay deal, ending prolonged industrial action
Legal Update
Death certification reform in England and Wales: How will health and social care be affected?
