Jo Williams, Chief Executive of The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said: “We support the investigation and welcome the opportunity to share our learning and progress we have made.

“Improvement is something we commit to every day, and we are open to any opportunities that can help us to better the care we provide and to continue to build trust with families.”

Background

On 23 June 2025, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced a rapid, national, independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services. The investigation is being led by Baroness Valerie Amos.

The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation will develop one set of national recommendations to drive improvements in maternity and neonatal services across England.

As part of the investigation, with support from expert advisors and a support team, Baroness Amos will conduct local investigations of 14 hospital trusts, with three of those organisations included as improving trusts that have been the subject of a previous Independent Review. SaTH, along with East Kent and Morecambe Bay, is one of these three Trusts where learnings will be incorporated into the investigation.

A crucial part of the investigation will be to ensure that the lived experiences of women, babies and families, including fathers and non-birthing partners, are fully heard and used to inform the development of the national recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Why has The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust been selected as one of the 14 Trusts to be investigated?

The decision on the 14 trusts is based on a range of factors, one of which is trusts where previous investigations have taken place and learning from these will be incorporated in this new investigation. In March 2022, Donna Ockenden published the final report of the Independent Review of maternity services at SaTH. East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Morecombe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which have also previously been the subject of Independent Reviews, are also amongst the 14 trusts chosen by Baroness Amos.

2. Why were the trusts selected?

Reasons for the selection of the were based on a range of criteria, including:

  • Data and metrics, including from the annual CQC maternity patient survey and MBRRACE-UK perinatal mortality rates.
  • Variation in case mix
  • Trust type
  • Geographic coverage
  • Provision of care to individuals from diverse backgrounds, including consideration of social, economic and racial inequalities
  • Family feedback
  • Trusts where previous investigations have taken place

By taking this approach the investigation can capture experience and learning from a wide range of trusts, ensuring the findings are relevant across the system.

3. What is the scope of the investigation?

The aims of the investigation are:

  • To develop and publish one set of national recommendations to:
  • Drive the improvements needed to ensure high quality and safe maternity and neonatal care across England
  • Reduce inequalities and promote health equity in the delivery of those services
  • To ensure that the lived experiences of women, babies and families, including fathers and non-birthing partners, are fully heard and used to inform the development of the national recommendations.
  • To conduct and publish 14 local investigations of maternity and neonatal services in NHS Trusts and use these alongside other sources of data and evidence gathered by the investigation to inform the development of the national recommendations

4. How will the Investigation be conducted and how long will it take?

Local investigations will be carried out by trained investigators who will spend several days on site at each trust, supported by a small team.

5. Will women and families be able to give evidence or speak to investigators? The local investigations will invite contributions from women and families who use the local services, but there will no obligation to contribute in this way. The national investigation will also be conducting a public call for evidence so women and families who feel more comfortable contributing via this route will be able to do so.

6. Will staff give evidence or speak to investigators?

The local investigations team will speak to some staff. They will be notified in advance if the team would like to hear from them as part of their work. This investigation is about understanding the experiences of affected women and families, identifying lessons learned and driving the improvements needed to ensure high quality and safe maternity and neonatal care across England.

Details of Help and Support

Local and national support systems are available for anyone to access:

  • For urgent help with mental health please contact the Mental Health Access Team on 0808 196 4501 or email shropshire@mpft.nhs.uk. The Access Team provides a single point of contact for all Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s adult mental health services, including people with dementia. The team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
  • NHS 111 select mental health

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis (something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health), you can now contact your local crisis service in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option ( 111. Your mental health needs will then be assessed by someone who will be able to listen to your concerns and help you get the support you need. They can offer advice over the phone, put you in contact with crisis services or refer you to most appropriate service. You can call for yourself, or someone else. NHS 111 is for all ages, including children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental needs.

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Talking Therapies

Talking therapies are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited practitioners. They can help with common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression. You can access talking therapies for free on the NHS. You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP, or a GP can refer you. The service is open to anyone aged 16+ who is registered with a Shropshire or Telford and Wrekin GP and is not currently being seen by another mental health team.

You can self-refer to NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Talking Therapies in the following ways:

  • Email: STWTT@mpft.nhs.uk
  • Phone: 0300 1236020 (NB: the patient’s details will be taken and a telephone assessment arranged)

Help is available in person, by video, over the phone or as an online course. For more information click here.

  • Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90 – The Samaritans are there to talk to 24/7 and will offer help in tough times.
  • Mind: 0300 123 3393 – Mind is a mental health charity that provides support. There is a link at the top of their webpage titled “I need urgent help” which will ask a number of questions and provide you with advice in your situation.
  • Call 999 – For medical and mental health emergencies

Information and Support in Mid Wales

  • In Wales, NHS 111 Press 2 for mental health is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for people of any age who have an urgent mental health concern themselves or about someone they know. The number is free to call from a landline or mobile and is available for anyone living in Wales.
  • Information about mental health services available from Powys Teaching Health Board can be found on their website at https://pthb.nhs.wales/mental-health
  • SilverCloud Wales offers free online CBT for anyone living in Wales. A wide range of programmes is available including a dedicated focus on “space for perinatal wellbeing”. Find out more and sign up at https://pthb.nhs.wales/silvercloud
  • You can access mental health and support, including from the health board’s perinatal mental health team, by talking to your Powys midwife. You can contact your Powys midwife on 01874 622443

If you have a queries or concerns about your care, you can also contact The Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS). Call 01743 261691 for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or 01952 282888 for the Princess Royal Hospital. You can also email sath.pals@nhs.net.

When a family experiences baby loss during or soon after pregnancy, support organisations available locally and nationally include:

Specialist Midwives – Bereavement – The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
Office Number: 01952 565953 (Mon-Fri 0900-1700 hrs)
Urgent queries via the Delivery Suite (24hrs) 01952 565924

SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society)
Offers support and information for anyone affected by the death of a baby, before or after birth. National helpline, local parent-led support, literature, and online support.
www.sands.org.uk
020 7436 7940 (general enquiries)
0808 164 3332 (support)

Child Bereavement UK
When your baby dies.
Helpline: 0800 0288840
Email: helpline@childbereavementuk.org

Support Group for Dads
Dad Still Standing is an online group created as a way of helping other dads along their journey with grief. To discuss the difficulties you go through in bereavement, both in the immediate aftermath of baby loss and as time moves on.
https://www.dadstillstanding.com/

Lullaby Trust
Bereavement support after the death of a baby or child.
www.lullabytrust.org.uk
Support: 0808 8026868
Email: support@lullabytrust.org.uk

Hope House Children’s Hospice
Care for babies, children and young people who have life-threatening conditions and are not expected to live beyond 18 years of age.
www.hopehouse.org.uk
01691 671 999

IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)
Telford and Wrekin: 01952 457415
Shropshire County: 0300 123 6020

Lily Mae Foundation
Baby loss support service.
www.lilymaefoundation.org
01676 535716

Miscarriage Association
www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
01924 200 799
Email: info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk

Multiple Births Foundation (MBF)
Provides support and information for multiple birth families (including bereavement support).
www.multiplebirths.org.uk
07360 735050
Email: mbf@bcu.ac.uk

Aching Arms (Supporting Arms)
07464 508994
Email: support@achingarms.co.uk

Samaritans
Offers confidential support that is available 24 hours a day to people who need to talk.
116 123 (UK) freephone

Tommy’s
Miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth charity who offer support following a pregnancy loss.
https://www.tommys.org
Support: 0800 014 7800
Email: midwife@tommys.org

Twins Trust Bereavement Support Group
Offers support for families who have lost one or more children from a multiple birth pregnancy, birth or at any time.
www.twinstrust.org/bereavement

Winston’s Wish
Offer support to bereaved children, their families, and professionals.
www.winstonswish.org.uk
Helpline: 08088 020021

TFMR Mamas
Offering support for families who have experienced a Termination for Medical Reason.
https://www.tfmrmamas.com/

Petals – The Baby Loss Counselling Charity
https://www.petalscharity.org/
0300 688 0068
Email: counselling@petalscharity.org

Hugs Charity
HUGS offers a range of services for bereaved parents and their families.
https://hugs.org.uk/

Little Footprints Support Group
A monthly support group for anyone affected by the death of a baby at any stage in pregnancy.
Email: littlefootprintsmd@gmail.com
Little Footprints Support Group meet on the 1st Tuesday of every month 7:30-8:30pm at The Green Suite, Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton.

2Wish
Support for those affected by the sudden death in young people: https://www.2wish.org.uk/

Love from, George, (Shropshire based)
Supporting bereaved parents and families after losing their precious baby: https://www.facebook.com/lovefromgeorge

Ada’s Foundation (Shropshire based)
To provide empathetic and practical support to families affected by pregnancy loss and the death of a baby, helping them navigate through the challenges of grief and loss: https://www.facebook.com/adasfoundationuk

Saying Goodbye Charity
www.sayinggoodbye.org/
0300 3231350
Email: support@sayinggoodbye.org

For Staff employed by the Trust:

The SaTH Staff Psychology Service is available to support all current staff members who are affected in any way:

  • Staff can self-refer, or ask their manager to do this on their behalf, by emailing: staffpsychology@nhs.net (this inbox is checked daily Monday-Friday)
  • Staff will be contacted by a member of the team to arrange an appointment which could be face to face, on MS Teams or by telephone, to suit the member of staff. Appointments are during working hours Monday-Friday

An alternative confidential service is available through SaTH’s Employee Assistance Provider (HELP).

  • You can contact them by calling 0800 047 8843 or visiting: https://sath.workplacewellbeing.com and https://sath.optimise.health.  
  • HELP provide confidential, independent and unbiased information and guidance from a team of trained wellbeing and counselling practitioners. They provide support in relation to a range of social, emotional and health problems relating to home or work.