In tonight’s programme, I open with a roundup of the week’s major maternity stories and why they matter now, not just when they trend. We look at the PSA’s finding that the Nursing and Midwifery Council met 9 of 18 regulatory standards and the resulting escalation to Parliament, fresh investigations and reporting on the UK maternity crisis, and cases in Scotland and Gloucestershire that lay bare how culture, staffing and decision‑making shape outcomes. I also flag the approaching Ockenden outputs and what they could mean for families and staff. My guest is my husband, Reese, who speaks candidly about witnessing my induction and labour as a first‑time dad, the shock of poor communication, and the aftermath of trauma at home. Together we unpack what “whistleblowing” really looks like in practice, the toll it takes on families, and practical ways staff and parents can protect themselves and their evidence—from contemporaneous notes to statements of truth—while keeping compassion at the centre.

• 'Nursing & Midwifery Council: 2025 PSA review summary (9 of 18 standards)': https://www.nmc.org.uk/news/news-and-updates/new-nmc-accelerates-change-and-improvement-five-months-on-from-2024/25-psa-performance-review/
• 'Professional Standards Authority: NMC performance escalation letter (PDF)': https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/sites/default/files/attachments/NMC%20Performance%20Review%202023-24%20Escalation%20letter%20to%20Vice%20Chair%20Health%20%26%20Social%20Care%20Select%20Committee.pdf
• 'Sky News investigation: Behind Closed Doors – Inside the UK’s maternity crisis': https://news.sky.com/video/behind-closed-doors-inside-the-uk-s-maternity-crisis-full-investigation-13548545
• 'University Hospital Crosshouse/Ayrshire Maternity Unit (service information)': https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/pregnancy-and-childbirth/losing-a-baby/early-pregnancy-units-epu/
• 'STV News: Ayrshire mum raises concerns after baby Belle’s death': https://news.stv.tv/west-central/ayrshire-mum-blames-hospital-for-causing-brain-injury-which-resulted-in-babys-death
• 'BBC Panorama focus on NUH maternity (Trust response)': https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/nuh-responds-to-bbc-panorama
• 'Ockenden Review – official site (Nottingham independent review)': https://www.ockendenmaternityreview.org.uk/
• 'Final Ockenden Report (Shrewsbury & Telford) – GOV.UK': https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-of-the-ockenden-review
• 'Gloucestershire: suspension of home birth services (context)': https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/articles/cq83g7l2v7jo
• 'NHS Employers: Raising Concerns (whistleblowing) resources': https://www.nhsemployers.org/people/raising-concerns
• 'NHS Scotland: How to raise whistleblowing concerns': https://workforce.nhs.scot/supporting-documents/guide/whistleblowing-policy-how-to-raise-whistleblowing-concerns/
• 'Regulatory Justice Foundation (support for professionals under investigation)': https://www.theregulatoryjusticefoundation.org.uk/
• 'Compassion in Care (Eileen Chubb)': https://compassionincare.com/
• 'The Whistler (whistleblowing support and advocacy)': https://www.thewhistler.org/
• 'The life and death of Elizabeth Dixon – investigation report (GOV.UK)': https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-life-and-death-of-elizabeth-dixon-a-catalyst-for-change
• 'Sky News: Inside a labour ward – current context piece': https://news.sky.com/story/maternity-care-latest-sky-news-goes-inside-a-labour-ward-on-the-up-13548084
• 'Civil Procedure Rules: Practice Direction 22 – Statements of Truth': https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part22/pd_part22
• 'General Medical Council (regulator of UK doctors)': https://www.gmc-uk.org
• 'Royal College of Midwives (professional body and union)': https://rcm.org.uk/
• 'Bevan Brittan LLP (health and public sector law)': https://www.bevanbrittan.com/
• 'DAC Beachcroft (health and insurance law)': https://www.dacbeachcroft.com/
• 'The People’s Lawyer UK (know‑your‑rights resources)': https://thepeopleslawyeruk.com/