Protecting human rights in childbirth
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
Could you help us demystify the complaints process? We are looking for an experienced freelance project manager to work in collaboration with service users and our staff team, to make an engaging video about making a complaint after receiving poor maternity care. We anticipate the project will be about 12 days work spread over a … Read more
For the second time this year, the Court of Protection has ruled it lawful to transfer a pregnant woman to hospital to give birth, apparently against her wishes. The Court of Protection exists to make decisions on financial, welfare and health matters for people who ‘lack capacity’ to make the decision for themselves under the … Read more
On International Day of the Midwife 2021, Sophie Russell, Consultant Midwife at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and a Birthrights Trainer, gives us an insight into a typical day and reflects on how human rights impact her work as a midwife. Each day in my role is unique, rewarding and challenging; here is a snippet … Read more
Last 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
Birthrights and the But Not Maternity Alliance partners have written to both Matthew Hancock and NHS England setting out the need for a roadmap to guide maternity services back to normal visiting arrangements, in line with the roadmap for relaxing restrictions in other areas of life. Birthrights and its #butnotmaternity partners are keen to avoid … 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
Women have told us that how Trusts communicate with them about changes to maternity services can be as important as the changes themselves. In this guest blog, Sally Talbot shares what the maternity team at South Warwickshire Foundation Trust have done to communicate effectively with both women/birthing people and staff during the pandemic…. We are … Read more
The #BasicBirthRights campaign seeks to raise awareness of the absolute rights women and birthing people have in maternity care