It is reported that wide ethnic inequalities in perinatal mortality continues, with stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates for Black, Asian and mixed ethnicity families higher than those of white families.

Black, Asian and mixed ethnicity women and birthing people have reported systemic issues and discrimination when navigating maternity and neonatal care in the UK.

What is Stillbirth?

A stillbirth is when a baby is born dead after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy. Some stillbirths are linked to complications with the placenta, a birth defect or with the mother’s health. For others, no cause is found.

What is Neonatal Mortality?

Neonatal mortality is a death of a baby during the first 28 days of their life.

Open Letter

The wide ethnic inequalities in perinatal mortality have prompted a group of bereaved parents, supported by Sands Charity (The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity), to write an open letter to the newly formed government asking the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to take urgent action to end inequalities by ethnicity in baby loss.

Sands Charity has emphasized that addressing disparities in care is essential for addressing inequalities in outcomes, necessitating action across the Government, NHS, and professional bodies to ensure safer and more equitable care.

At Moosa-Duke Solicitors we hope that recognition of these inequalities will help to ignite positive change in maternity services across the NHS.

If you have concerns about the maternity care that you or a family member has received, please contact our specialist team for a no-obligation consultation on 0116 254 7456 or at enquiries@moosaduke.com.

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