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 do we need the maternity commission
“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 likely 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
Page last updated: 08 August 2024
