Maternity and neonatal healthcare investigations

Our Chief Executive, Lucy Warnes was interviewed for the first episode of ‘Open Your Eyes: Maternity in Crisis’, a new investigative journalism series by Lumo TV looking to drive real social change for the deaf community. It aired at 6pm on 15 April 2026 and the focus was on maternal healthcare.

Woman with long hair and glasses. Title Open Your Eyes

Featuring powerful and heartbreaking stories of Lisa, Alije and Honesty, the programme exposes the devastating impact of systemic failures within maternity services. It’s an issue that we see time and time again in our health research and engagement with the community.

The National Child Mortality Database has recorded that in the past six years there were 9 babies who died in situations where communication issues with deaf parents were a contributing factor.

Deaf mothers and babies are more likely to experience poor pregnancy outcomes.

The episode reveals how a lack of qualified interpreters, poor cultural understanding of deafness, and wider systemic neglect can leave deaf parents feeling isolated, fearful and traumatised, contributing to postnatal depression and long-term harm.

‘Open Your Eyes’ makes clear that the current system is failing deaf families, and urgent change is needed to ensure safe, accessible and equitable maternal healthcare for all.

Watch on Lumo TV

NHS Therapies for deaf people with anxiety and depression

If you have had a traumatic experience or suffered a loss, we hope you will reach out for support. SignHealth’s therapy service is available and we want to meet with you.

We are Still Sick Of It

Health inequalities are impacting outcomes for deaf mothers and even for their children from birth. Our campaign is called Still Sick Of It, because it’s not right and it’s absolutely avoidable.

Our policy team worked hard to change the system. After publishing the Still Ignored report in collaboration with RNID, SignHealth has:

Presented to over 500 NHS professionals (including NHS complaints managers and ICBs) to spread awareness of the communication responsibilities of health services.
Met with the Disability Minister Sir Stephen Timms and the staff of the Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Led over 90 Deaf Health Roadshow workshops to raise awareness of healthcare rights.
And created a template letter for deaf patients to give to health services to explain communication needs.

Use template letter

What can the NHS do?

SignHealth offers training and consultancy to support health services in becoming more accessible
Use the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)!
Always check in advance what a patient’s language and communication needs are
Book the correct communication support – BSL interpreters, for example
Ensure midwives and other health professionals have deaf awareness training and an understanding of the needs of deaf patients and families

The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation

SignHealth was commissioned by the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation to facilitate two research focus groups. The groups of deaf and deafblind women shared examples of good and bad practices which will inform the investigation on how to improve care nationally. It’s important for deaf and deafblind patient’s experiences to be included in NHS reviews.