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Written question asked by Gavin Williamson (Conservative) on Friday, 26 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 30 June 2026. It was answered by Preet Kaur Gill (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Maternity Services: Standards

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Oral Statement of 24 June 2026 on Nottingham Maternity and Neonatal Services, Official Report, column 346, if he will make it his policy to set a target response time for NHS trusts to achieve a second opinion requested under Martha’s Rule in maternity settings where an urgent obstetric review is required.

Answer

In June, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced the implementation of Martha’s Rule in all antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal inpatient maternity and neonatal settings in England, building on 15 successful pilot sites.

This is to ensure that every parent can request a rapid review from an independent medical team if a baby or mother’s condition is deteriorating and they are concerned this is not being responded to.

NHS England is supporting the implementation of Matha’s rule, including in maternity services.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
13487
Session
2026-27
Related items
Grouped for answer
Yes
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Finance NHS trusts Standards Maternity services Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk