Putting families at the heart of safer maternity and newborn care

The Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) programme has published its 2025–27 strategy, building on its approach to improving maternity and newborn safety. The strategy focuses on supporting NHS trusts to spot risks sooner and act quickly to prevent harm, especially for communities that experience the worst outcomes.

Since its launch, MNSI has carried out more than 4,300 investigations into maternity and newborn safety events. Each investigation reflects the experience of a family who has faced loss or harm. These voices have consistently shaped MNSI’s work, and the new strategy builds on that foundation by turning insights from investigations into practical recommendations to strengthen maternity and newborn care.

The strategy is being introduced at a time when England continues to fall short of national targets for reducing maternal and infant deaths. Stillbirth rates remain at 3.9 per 1,000 births, neonatal mortality at 1.4 per 1,000 live births, and Black and Asian women continue to face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and childbirth. Black women are 2.3 times more likely and Asian women 1.3 times more likely to die than White women.

MNSI Programme Director Sandy Lewis said: "Every investigation represents a family whose life has been profoundly affected. This strategy informs and focuses MNSI’s work, building on early identification of risks and emerging issues to and giving NHS trusts the chance to prevent harm, particularly for families who are most at risk."

The strategy is built around three priorities. Excellence focuses on maintaining the highest standards in investigations while expanding analytical capability. Impact centres on identifying emerging risks earlier and working across the NHS to support meaningful improvements in safety. Relationships reflects MNSI’s commitment to ensuring that families and communities shape its priorities and influence how safety improvements are delivered.

A new Family Voices Group will guide investigation priorities and help embed family experience across the programme. This will ensure that lived experience continues to shape strategy, policies and processes, strengthening safety and health equity.

MNSI Clinical Director Louise Page said: "Disparities in maternal and newborn outcomes are not abstract, they affect real families. By combining analytical insight with the experiences of those most affected, MNSI can focus on preventing harm where it is needed most."

The 2025–27 strategy strengthens maternity and newborn safety across England. It puts families at the centre and uses insights from investigations to help NHS trusts prevent harm and reduce inequalities in outcomes.

Read the strategy in full here: MNSI Programme strategy 2025-27