Independent maternity and neonatal investigation: terms of reference
Terms of reference for the independent investigation into maternity and neonatal care in England.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
In light of new developments since the list of 14 NHS trusts for local independent investigations was announced in September, Baroness Amos has removed 2 NHS trusts from the investigations list:
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been removed due to the separate maternity inquiry announced by the Secretary of State
- Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has been removed following recent discussions with West Mercia Police about the detail and schedule of their ongoing investigation
The independent investigation will launch a call for evidence soon and the panel have encouraged Shrewsbury and Telford and Leeds families to participate.
On 23 June 2025 the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced a rapid, national, independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services.
Baroness Amos was appointed as Chair of the Independent Maternity and Neonatal Investigation on 14 August 2025. The investigation will look at individual services across the country alongside reviewing the maternity and neonatal system, bringing together the findings of past reviews into one clear national set of actions to ensure every woman and baby receives safe, high-quality and compassionate care.
Following the conclusion of the investigation Baroness Amos will deliver one clear set of national recommendations, with interim recommendations delivered in December 2025.
Contact the investigation team at matneoinvestigation@dhsc.gov.uk for details of its:
- complaints policy
- safeguarding protocol
Updates to this page
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Baroness Amos has removed 2 NHS trusts from the investigations list: Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (due to the separate maternity inquiry announced by the Secretary of State) and Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (following recent discussions with West Mercia Police about the detail and schedule of their ongoing investigation).
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Added the names of the 8 expert advisers who will support the investigation's independent chair.
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Expanded the investigation's consideration of specific professional beliefs and approaches under the section 'Examining the response of healthcare organisations'.
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First published.