Protecting human rights in childbirth
Registered Charity Number 1151152
A few weeks ago, we were on the verge of launching a crowd-funding campaign to raise thousands of pounds to take Cwm Taf Health Board to court for keeping partners out of their maternity wards. The Birthrights team were working round the clock to put together our first ever crowdfunding campaign, and cancelling well deserved leave … Read more
Last week, a further letter before action was sent to Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board making clear that we do not regard one hour postnatal visiting for partners to be enough, and we await the Board’s full explanation of how this decision was reached. The law firm Irwin Mitchell wrote to Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board with a letter … Read more
Leigh Day have sent a letter before action to Betsi Cadwaladr, on behalf of Birthrights and a local couple expecting a baby. The letter asks the Health Board to explain why there have been no substantial changes to visiting arrangements in maternity services since November. Partners are not able to visit their other halves or … Read more
Birthrights has received legal advice stating that Trusts which prevent partners from attending scans, and don’t allow partners to be involved in the appointment remotely, may be acting unlawfully and unreasonably.
We have had hundreds of enquiries via our advice line about whether partners should be able to attend scans in person, and if not, whether a partner should be able to take part in a scan appointment remotely. This blog post explores the issues. Should partners be allowed to attend scans in person? Yes if … 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
Birthrights has today written to NHS England and NHS Improvement calling for national guidance on easing visiting restrictions in maternity services in England, to recognise the unique needs of pregnant women/birthing people and their partners. Some Trusts still have the same visiting restrictions that were put in place at the height of the pandemic. Birthrights … Read more
The BBC reported this week that NHS Lothian was reinstating its home birth service but would require individuals to sign contracts promising a series of safeguards for midwives. Earlier in the week there were reports of other Trusts in England using contracts to spell out the risks (the benefits were sadly omitted) of home birth. … Read more
Birthrights works to empower individuals contacting our advice line, Maternity Voices Partnerships and others with an interest, with the information they need to assess and challenge local decisions where appropriate. However where necessary we also write to Trusts and Local Maternity Systems and other organisations directly. The table below lists our correspondence with Trusts and … Read more