UK maternal deaths reach highest level in 20 years: study

LONDON: The number of women in Britain dying during pregnancy or soon afterwards has reached its highest level in almost two decades, a new study reported on Thursday.

The figures from MBRRACE-UK, which monitors maternal deaths, stillbirths and infant deaths, and their causes, showed black women and those from deprived areas remained the most severely impacted.

MPs reported that although the UK has one of the lowest maternal mortality ratios in the world, it has “glaring and persistent disparities in outcomes for women depending on their ethnicity”.

It also comes after a series of scandals at maternity units within the state-funded National Health Service (NHS).

The latest statistics prompted renewed calls for more investment and training in maternity services, despite health bosses in England claiming more money than ever is going into the sector.

Marian Knight, director of the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit said Britain´s maternity systems were “under pressure” and the “increase in maternal mortality raises further concern”.

“Ensuring pre-pregnancy health... as well as critical actions to work towards more inclusive and personalised care, need to be prioritised as a matter of urgency now more than ever,” she added.