The appointment of a Maternity Commissioner
'Petition wins' series
The Petition
In November 2025, Louise Thompson and Theodora Clarke submitted a petition calling on the Government to "Appoint a Maternity Commissioner to improve maternity care for mums and babies."
167,092 people signed it.
The Debate
A group of MPs called the Petitions Committee are responsible for helping petitioners get their voices heard in Parliament.
When 10,000 people signed Louise and Theodora's petition, it received a formal Government response.
When the petition received over 100,000 signatures, the Petitions Committee held a debate on the issue of appointing a Maternity Commissioner on 20 April 2026.
Who opened the debate?
Tony Vaughan MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, agreed to open the debate.
In the debate, Tony thanked Louise and Theodora, along with other notable organisations, for underscoring the importance of appointing a Maternity Commissioner to oversee maternity and neonatal services.
What did the Government say?
During the debate, Government Minister Karin Smyth MP, responded to what Tony and the other MPs had said.
She acknowledged the high level of public engagement surrounding the petition topic, as well as deep-rooted issues facing maternity care.
The Minister pointed to the independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care, chaired by Baroness Amos, and the creation of a new maternity and neonatal taskforce to implement the investigation's recommendations, as examples of the Government's work to improve maternity and neonatal services.
The Minister concluded her speech by stating:
"If Baroness Amos wants to recommend, for example, a maternity commissioner, then we will consider that carefully."
What happened after the debate?
On 30 June 2026, the final report of the Independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation was published. It recommended the Government create a statutory Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner.
In response to the investigation's final report, the Government announced the creation of the UK’s first ever maternity and neonatal commissioner.
The Government said it would publish a comprehensive national action plan to improve maternity and neonatal services in December 2026.
The Debate
A group of MPs called the Petitions Committee are responsible for helping petitioners get their voices heard in Parliament.
When 10,000 signed the petition, it received a formal Government response.
When the petition received over 100,000 signatures, the Petitions Committee held a debate on the issue of appointing a Maternity Commissioner on 20 April 2026.
Who opened the debate?
Tony Vaughan MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, agreed to open the debate.
In the debate, Tony thanked Louise and Theodora, along with other notable organisations, for underscoring the importance of appointing a Maternity Commissioner to oversee maternity and neonatal services.
What did the Government say?
During the debate, Government Minister Karin Smyth MP, responded to what Tony and the other MPs had said.
She acknowledged the high level of public engagement surrounding the petition topic, as well as deep-rooted issues facing maternity care.
The Minister pointed to the independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care, chaired by Baroness Amos, and the creation of a new maternity and neonatal taskforce to implement the investigation's recommendations, as examples of the Government's work to improve maternity and neonatal services.
The Minister concluded her speech by stating:
"If Baroness Amos wants to recommend, for example, a maternity commissioner, then we will consider that carefully."
What happened after the debate?
On 30 June 2026, the final report of the Independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation was published. It recommended the Government create a statutory Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner.
In response to the investigation's final report, the Government announced the creation of the UK’s first ever maternity and neonatal commissioner.
The Government said it would publish a comprehensive national action plan to improve maternity and neonatal services in December 2026.
Watch the debate:
Read the transcript:
Success
Rt Hon James Murray MP
Rt Hon James Murray MP
The Government agrees to appoint the UK's first Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner
This is exactly what Louise, Theodora, and over 160,000 people who signed the petition on appointing a Maternity Commissioner had wanted.
The then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care James Murray MP said:
“For too long, women, babies and families have been failed by a system that didn’t listen. Their stories are heartbreaking and demand action.
"I am grateful to Baroness Amos for her work on this landmark review, which is a turning point. Appointing the UK’s first ever maternity and neonatal commissioner will drive lasting change and make sure women and families are never ignored again."
The Government agrees to appoint the UK's first Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner
This is exactly what Louise, Theodora, and over 160,000 people who signed the petition on appointing a Maternity Commissioner had wanted.
The then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care James Murray MP said:
“For too long, women, babies and families have been failed by a system that didn’t listen. Their stories are heartbreaking and demand action.
"I am grateful to Baroness Amos for her work on this landmark review, which is a turning point. Appointing the UK’s first ever maternity and neonatal commissioner will drive lasting change and make sure women and families are never ignored again." M
Louise's response
"We started this petition because too many women, including ourselves, have been let down by poor maternity care, suffering avoidable harm and trauma during childbirth.
"That is why we believe a Maternity Commissioner is so urgently needed: someone whose sole focus is improving maternity care and ensuring every mother and baby receives the safe care they deserve.
"Politics can often feel inaccessible, but this petition has given women the chance to have their voices heard by those making decisions about maternity care - and the response has been incredibly moving. Seeing thousands of people sign reminds us that together, our voices can drive the meaningful change families have been waiting for."
Louise Thompson
Louise Thompson
Photo credit: UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor
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