MBRRACE-UK Report 2025

Debate between Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate and Baroness Merron

Thursday 23rd October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

This Government are committed to closing the black and Asian maternal mortality gap. It is unacceptable that, in 2025, black women are twice as likely to die in childbirth. I was speaking yesterday with a clinician who said that for every woman who dies, 100 women experience a severe maternal morbidity event, such as stroke, kidney failure or acute psychosis, which can lead to lifelong health implications, as the noble Lord has referred to. The maternal care bundle, which we have developed in partnership with MBRRACE, proposes intervention on the issue of blood clots, which are three times as likely to occur in black women and can have tragic consequences.

[Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Con)]

My Lords, there are considerable concerns in Leeds about the maternity services in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, including that the investigations that are now beginning will take a considerable amount of time. Can the Minister confirm that, in the ongoing inquiry into general services, a conclusion will be brought to the investigations in Leeds as soon as possible?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I can give that assurance in respect of services across the country. The independent maternity and neonatal investigation will act at pace. It is an independent investigation and will be chaired by the noble Baroness, Lady Amos. In addition, the Secretary of State, Wes Streeting, is showing how high a priority it is for us to provide urgent action on this by chairing the maternity and neonatal task force himself. These projects will work at pace to bring about the change we need to see.

National Health Service Regulations

Debate between Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate and Baroness Merron

Tuesday 16th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My noble friend does himself credit with his honesty, which I too will take example from .

[Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Con)]

My Lords, there are concerns about the use of physician associates in many general practices. They are not of course doctors but are now on the front line of giving advice and assistance. Is the Minister satisfied about the way in which these people are deployed? Is she happy that the security of patients is completely safe with the use of these people?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

Physician associates often work in hospitals and are there to develop the availability of care. The noble Lord is right to say that there are concerns around physician associates. That is why my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced an independent review to work out where there are problems and what we need to do to make sure that there is no confusion among patients about who is treating them, and also that patient safety standards are upheld.