England will appoint its first-ever maternity and neonatal commissioner following a major government-commissioned review that found the country's childbirth services to be plagued by poor care, racism, and a persistent failure to listen to women. The report, led by Lady Valerie Amos, made eight key recommendations including an urgent overhaul of maternity triage units, binding national safety standards, and giving families the automatic right to request independent investigations when they are dissatisfied with hospital inquiries into harm or death. Health Secretary James Murray welcomed the findings as a turning point, though critics — including the Birth Trauma Association — have warned the review falls short by failing to address birth injuries, the role of forceps, or the psychological toll of traumatic births on mothers and families.