Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Oral Statement of 24 June 2026 on Nottingham Maternity and Neonatal Services, Official Report, column 346, whether the extension of Martha’s Rule to maternity services will be funded (a) from the existing funding allocated for Critical Care Outreach Teams and (b) whether additional funding will be provided to NHS trusts to support its implementation in maternity services.

In June, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced the implementation of Martha’s Rule in all antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal inpatient maternity and neonatal settings in England, building on 15 successful pilot sites.

This is to ensure that every parent can request a rapid review from an independent medical team if a baby or mother’s condition is deteriorating and they are concerned this is not being responded to.

NHS England is supporting the implementation of Matha’s rule, including in maternity services.