Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department made of the potential merits of including a Director of Midwifery on the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce.

When setting up the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, careful consideration has been given to ensuring a diversity of experience, region, and discipline across the maternity and neonatal system.

We recognise that the inclusion of midwifery perspectives and expertise is vital to developing an action plan that drives real, lasting change. For example, its membership includes the Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, and the Chief Midwifery Officer at the Norwegian Directorate of Health.

The taskforce will also be supported by a wider range of experts as part of expert reference groups that will bring broader views and perspectives. This includes a dedicated workforce, clinical, and academic group, bringing together Directors of Midwifery with other senior and frontline professionals, ensuring the taskforce benefits from a wide range of perspectives. Other groups span charitable and grassroots organisations, families and seldom heard voices, and regulatory and investigatory bodies.