Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to improve maternity and neonatal care at the Royal United Hospitals Bath.

The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust is working to the requirements of NHS England’s Maternity and Neonatal 10-Point Plan (10PP) and has undertaken a multidisciplinary baseline assessment confirming that core safety and governance arrangements are in place. An improvement plan is being developed to address the outstanding requirements of the 10PP.

The trust is also reviewing its maternity and neonatal services against the Thirlwall Inquiry findings. Seven early actions have been identified, with named leads, clear milestones, and established governance oversight. The trust board will review the local Thirlwall assurance position in December 2026, including any further action required.

In addition, the trust is strengthening the analysis of outcomes and experiences by ethnicity and deprivation, preparing to participate in NHS England’s Perinatal Equity and Anti-Discrimination Programme from January 2027, and working to implement the Maternal Care Bundle by March 2027.