Michelle Welsh MP has been appointed as the government’s first Maternity Advisor.
In the role, Welsh will work directly with families, the government, the NHS and key maternity organisations to push for better, safer care for mothers, babies and families.
She will also meet regularly with ministers to share evidence and advice, and work with families and communities to bring a wide range of voices into the heart of the government’s action to improve maternity services.
There will be a special focus on those from communities that face the greatest health inequalities.
Welsh is a harmed mother herself and as chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Maternity she has spoken to thousands of other women and families across the country about their experiences and has been an advocate for making maternity services safer.
She was also the first elected member in Nottinghamshire to call for an independent review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, in 2020.
Welsh will also sit a member on the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce.
Michelle Welsh said: "I am honoured to have been appointed as the National Maternity Advisor to the Government.
"This role is deeply personal to me. Like far too many women across this country, I know what it feels like to come through childbirth carrying both physical and emotional scars. That experience has strengthened my determination to fight for safer, more compassionate maternity care for every family.
"As National Maternity Advisor, I will work tirelessly to drive forward meaningful reform focused on safer staffing, stronger accountability, listening to women, tackling inequalities and ensuring lessons are learned when failures happen.
"This is about rebuilding trust and creating a maternity system that is not only safer, but kinder too."
Health and Social Care Secretary James Murray said: "Far too many women and families have been let down by maternity services, and that must change.
"Michelle Welsh brings exactly the commitment and expertise this role demands, and I know she will be a powerful champion for the women and families.
"Today marks a significant step forward in our determination to make maternity care safer for every mother and baby in England."
The Taskforce has also published its Terms of Reference. The Taskforce has two core jobs: developing a national action plan covering the full maternity journey, from pre-pregnancy through to postnatal and bereavement support, and holding the NHS to account for delivering real improvements for women, babies and families.
