The Liberal Democrats are demanding one-to-one midwife care for women in labour, citing analysis of NHS data showing that serious childbirth injuries in England have reached unprecedented levels. Party leader Sir Ed Davey highlighted figures indicating the highest-ever recorded instances of potentially life-threatening blood loss among labouring women, alongside a sharp rise in severe tearing injuries requiring emergency intervention.
According to Lib Dem analysis of NHS figures, three in every 100 women experienced serious tearing injuries requiring emergency surgery in the first half of this year. More than 8,000 women suffered postpartum haemorrhages involving blood loss exceeding 1.5 litres since the start of the year—more than double the equivalent figure for 2021. Between April and June this year, the rate of major haemorrhage peaked at 32.7 women per thousand requiring emergency treatment. Over the past five years, the rate of third or fourth degree vaginal tears during childbirth has risen by 29 per cent.
Davey characterised the situation as
a "devastating indictment of our NHS maternity services"and pledged that a Lib Dem government would spend £600m annually on maternity services. He pointed out that £1.3bn a year is currently being spent on negligence compensation payouts for poor maternity care, arguing this money should instead fund prevention and improvement.
Speaking at the Lib Dem annual conference in Brighton, Davey stated:
"Our current maternity staff are run ragged - they're massively overstretched. That's the best way, all the evidence shows, to make sure maternity units are safe."He added:
"It is a scandal at the moment - we've seen inquiry after inquiry. So many women are suffering injuries at birth and we're seeing the loss of babies too; it is a tragedy as well as a scandal."
The party is calling for three specific reforms: a consultant obstetrician present on every labour ward at all hours, one-to-one midwifery care for every woman in labour, and recruitment of an additional 300 consultant midwives. Davey insisted that ministers
"cannot turn a blind eye to this national safety scandal"and that mothers
"deserve safe, compassionate care".
How widespread is the problem of women being left alone during labour?
Care Quality Commission survey data reveals that one in ten women—approximately 54,000—were left alone during the late stages of labour or childbirth last year. The Lib Dems attributed this to inadequate training and staff shortages across maternity units.
What do recent inquiries reveal about maternity failures?
A 2022 review found that catastrophic failures at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust over two decades may have contributed to the deaths of more than 200 babies. The trust subsequently apologised and stated it had implemented measures to prevent recurrence. Lib Dem health spokesperson Helen Morgan, who successfully campaigned for an independent maternity commissioner, drew a direct connection between past scandals and ongoing harm.
"Years after the Shrewsbury and Telford scandal which devastated my community - my neighbours and friends - women continue to suffer,"she said, adding:
"This must be the moment we say 'enough'."
What is the government's response?
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson confirmed that a new national maternity and neonatal action plan will be published by the end of the year, bringing together recommendations from the Baroness Amos, Donna Ockenden, and Lady Justice Thirlwall inquiries.
"Every woman deserves safe maternity care and the new health secretary has made this issue a personal priority,"the spokesperson said.
"Through the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce that she is chairing, this government will deliver the reforms needed to ensure the very highest standards of safety and care for every mother and baby."
The government has announced that England's first statutory Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner will be appointed to ensure the voices of women, babies and families are at the heart of national policy making. Additionally, Martha's Rule is being extended to every maternity and neonatal ward to ensure that any reports of deterioration from patients or their families are acted upon, and £187m has been invested since April 2025 to address critical safety risks in the maternity and neonatal estate.
What are the planned next steps?
According to NHS England's 10-point plan, Martha's Rule will be rolled out across all maternity and neonatal services in 2026/27, and £10.6 million will be made available in 2026/27 to recruit newly qualified midwives. The National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce has been established to drive improvements in NHS maternity and neonatal care in England by overseeing the new action plan. Furthermore, the CQC's 2026 national maternity survey is due to publish results in autumn 2026 after trusts invite women to take part from April 2026.
What is Labour's position on the Lib Dem proposals?
A Labour Party spokesperson criticised Davey's record on maternity services, stating:
"Ed Davey was part of the coalition government that tore up the national standards for maternity services that Yvette Cooper is now having to restore. He never raised any objections to that decision at the time, and he has never apologised since. Until he does so, his words on this issue will ring hollow."
How has Davey responded to internal party criticism?
When addressing criticism from Julian Brazil, Leader of Devon County Council, who suggested on Sunday that the party was
"sleepwalking into irrelevance", Davey told a national broadcaster that leadership always attracts criticism as a party expands.
"We have grown really fast under my leadership, with record number of MPs and running more councils,"he said.
"When you have a bigger party you can't please everyone all the time."
Key Facts:
- More than 8,000 women experienced postpartum haemorrhages with blood loss exceeding 1.5 litres since the start of this year, more than double the 2021 figure
- Three in every 100 women suffered serious tearing injuries requiring emergency surgery in the first half of this year
- One in ten women were left alone during late stages of labour or childbirth last year, according to Care Quality Commission data
- The Lib Dems are calling for one-to-one midwife care, consultant obstetricians on every labour ward at all hours, and recruitment of 300 additional consultant midwives
- A new national maternity and neonatal action plan is expected by the end of the year, alongside the appointment of England's first statutory Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner
