Research suggests ethnicity affects pregnancy healthcare

Baby loss charity Sands has said that parents whose baby died during pregnancy or shortly after birth believe they received worse care due to their ethnicity.

The charity spoke to a group of bereaved parents, some of whom believed stereotyping had put them at increased risk.

Data also shows Black and Asian babies are more likely to be stillborn or die during the neonatal period.

The government has said it is committed to reducing any disparities linked to deprivation or ethnicity.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said “NHS England has published guidance for local maternity systems, supported by £6.8m.  We are also investing an additional £165m per year to grow and support the maternity workforce and improve neonatal care, while NHS England recently published a three-year plan to make maternity and neonatal care safer, more personalised, and more equitable for women, babies and families.”

The survey spoke to 56 Asian and Black bereaved parents and over 50 per cent of them felt their treatment was worse due to their ethnicity.  Participants in the study included some Black women who said they were typified as “dramatic” or “feisty” by healthcare staff when they were in pain or afraid.  Several Asian participants said stereotyping involved being dismissed as prone to exaggerating health concerns or being overly anxious.

The Royal College of Midwives said a multi-agency approach was needed to improve maternity outcomes for ethnic minorities as well as those living in the most deprived areas.

A spokesperson said “Much more needs to be done to address health inequalities and reduce stillbirth and neonatal death among Black and Asian babies.

“Clinicians, including midwives and obstetricians, should receive better education to be aware of the increased risk for Black and Asian women.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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