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Latest News
BLOG: Second birth partners – the maternity services perspective…
Visitor restrictions in maternity units have changed significantly over the last few weeks which is fantastic news. However one of the areas where we would like to see more progress is Trusts and Boards inviting second birth partners back into maternity services as a matter of course. This may not come top of the list of priorities … Read more
BLOG: Forced transfer to hospital ruled lawful in second agoraphobia case
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
BLOG: How kindness can make all the difference in challenging times…
Midwife and Birthrights Associate Trainer, Octavia Wiseman, reflects on the difference kindness can make in maternity care. Octavia experienced the kindness of other professionals first hand after her house went up in flames just a couple of weeks ago… The last twelve months have been challenging for us all. For me, the upheaval of the … Read more
BLOG: Happy International Day of the Midwife!
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
BLOG: Agoraphobia and mental capacity – a new obstetric intervention case
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
“Visiting restrictions are no longer justified” says Birthrights and partners
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
Birthrights and Bolt Burdon Kemp announce three-year partnership to promote human rights in childbirth
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
Oxford University Hospitals finally agree to offer maternal request caesareans…
Birthrights are delighted to share that Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) will offer maternal request caesareans at the John Radcliffe hospital going forward. Elizabeth Prochaska and Maria Booker from Birthrights met with Sir Jonathan Montgomery (Chair of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, OUH) and Professor Meghana Pandit (Chief Medical Officer, OUH) on the … Read more
Wrong to say birth partners and parents of sick babies must always self isolate say lawyers
Birthrights has today published legal advice, which states that requiring a partner or new parent to self-isolate may be unlawful in certain circumstances. We have written to NHS England & Improvement, asking them to correct the paragraphs in their visiting guidance for maternity services which suggest that partners or new parents should always be asked … Read more
New inquiry to drive action on racial injustice in maternity care
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