Protecting human rights in childbirth
Registered Charity Number 1151152
Amy GibbsLast week, a recent Court of Protection case involving a woman with agoraphobia was reported in the media. The woman, known as GH, had been in labour at home for nearly 72 hours and the ruling describes her labour as having become “obstructed”. The case was heard as an emergency out of hours hearing. The … Read more
We are pleased to confirm a new three-year partnership with Bolt Burdon Kemp, a law firm specialising in serious injury claims, which builds on our shared goals to protect rights and improve safety in maternity care. The partnership includes a package of corporate financial support, fundraising activity, pro bono and in-kind support, and joint communications … Read more
We are convening a national inquiry into racial injustice in maternity care, throughout 2021, with support from law firm Leigh Day. The inquiry will be led by an expert panel made up of Black and Brown people with lived experience, midwives and obstetricians, healthcare and human rights lawyers, and other experts across academia, anti-racism, health policy and participation. … Read more
Thanks to new funding from Thirty Percy and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, we are thrilled to be adding two new roles to our small but mighty team. We need a creative, inspiring communicator and leader to be our first ever Engagement Director. You will head up a new engagement team, working alongside the Programmes Director who … Read more
Reflections from our Chief Executive, Amy Gibbs. Each December, we reflect as a team on our achievements. 2020 has posed more challenges than any of us could have imagined – personally, professionally and for human rights in childbirth. Having only come back from maternity leave in October, I’m in total awe of the team for … Read more
After an external recruitment process, Birthrights is delighted to announce the appointment of four new Trustees, who will formally join the Board in January 2021. Almost 70 people with a wide range of personal and professional experiences applied for the roles, which were advertised following a Board diversity and skills audit earlier in 2020. The … Read more
We are pleased that the MBRRACE-UK report: Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care has finally been published today. The findings – yet again exposing serious racial inequalities in maternal deaths – are a stark reminder of the urgent need to share the lessons learned from these tragedies, to improve care and save lives. On 26 November, … Read more
Last week, Birthrights challenged NHS England’s decision not to publish the annual maternity care MBRRACE report until after the election. We received a response from NHS England’s lawyers stating they would reply substantively to our concerns within 14 days (by 10 December) and intend to publish the report on 13 December. Our solicitors, Leigh Day, … Read more
Birthrights is delighted to announce Nadine Montgomery as our first ever Patron. As a public ambassador for Birthrights, Nadine will continue her work to champion women’s autonomy and consent in childbirth, supporting our communications and campaigns, training for healthcare professional and high-level events. See our press release for more information. In 2015, the Montgomery v … Read more
Our Chief Executive, Amy Gibbs, is expecting her second baby in January 2020, so we’re looking for an experienced, passionate charity leader to fulfil her role for 9 months, starting mid-December 2019. This is a brilliant opportunity to lead our small, impactful team and champion human rights in childbirth, at an exciting time for Birthrights. … Read more