Southwark Maternity Commission

Share your experience of maternity care in Southwark

Learn about our review of health inequalities in maternity care in the borough (Southwark’s Maternity Commission), and how to get involved if you’re a resident or health professional.

Why we need the maternity commission

UK report on deaths in mothers said that: said that:

“Women and birthing people* from Black ethnic groups are four times more likely to die in pregnancy than those from White groups. Those from Asian ethnic backgrounds are almost twice as likely.”

*birthing people means people who give birth.

Southwark is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country. 40% of our population are born outside the UK. This means these inequalities are likely to affect a high proportion of our residents.

What the Southwark Maternity Commission aims to achieve

Councillor Evelyn Akoto, Southwark Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing formed the commission to:

• capture the lived experience of people giving birth in Southwark
• hold meetings, listening exercises and ways for women and families to share their experiences
• raise community awareness about having a safe pregnancy and birth
• bring about changes in maternity care to help reduce maternity inequalities such as deaths of people giving birth

Provide a message of solidarity to the people of Southwark who we want to hear from about maternity care

We want to hear from people:

• living in Southwark who've had a pregnancy in the past five years and their families
• who have worse outcomes in pregnancy and childbirth, including:
  • those from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background
  • white residents on lower incomes
  • asylum seekers and refugees
  • those living with long-term conditions and or disabilities
• who are frontline professionals delivering maternity and/or postnatal care in Southwark

How you can give your views about maternity care

Share your views as a resident

Complete our maternity care survey for women and people who give birth, and their families

• email maternitycommission@southwark.gov.uk with your experiences

Share your views as a professional working in maternity care

If you are a frontline professional working with pregnant women, people who give birth and their families:

Complete our maternity survey for frontline professionals

• make an anonymous submission about your experiences delivering maternity care
• send us a voice note via WhatsApp on 07926 086 539

Other ways to share your views as a resident or professional working in maternity care

Complete our form and tell us how you’d like to give your views on maternity care in Southwark, for example by taking part in:

• a focus group session
• a one-to-one interview (either virtual or in-person)
• one of the public maternity commission meetings

Page last updated: 29 April 2024