Ten-year anniversary for MASIC Charity that broke the taboo on severe birth injuries

When MASIC was founded, birth injury was rarely discussed. Women who sustained severe perineal injuries were often left to navigate life-changing physical and emotional consequences in silence. There was little public awareness, limited policy attention, and insufficient understanding of the long-term impact of these injuries. 

Through law firm Leigh Day’s work representing women who had suffered severe birth injuries, it had become clear that many women were experiencing devastating, life-changing injuries but were being ignored, not diagnosed or not appropriately treated. Women were often too embarrassed or distressed to speak openly about debilitating injuries and their long-term consequences.

Working closely with MASIC and Professor Michael Keighley, Leigh Day helped establish MASIC’s first conference, recognising from the cases it was seeing the urgent need for greater awareness, better treatment and a stronger voice for women affected by birth injuries.  

Now, as the UK is facing up to a national crisis in maternity care, awareness of injuries suffered by mothers in giving birth has vastly increased.

MASIC has had a significant role in that change while it has also played its part in responding to a succession of independent investigations into NHS maternity services and maternity scandals that have dominated the headlines.  

It continues to point out that recommendations have remained remarkably consistent across all major reports: women not being listened to, poor safety culture, leadership failures, workforce shortages, poor multidisciplinary teamwork, failure to learn from previous incidents and marked health inequalities and discrimination.  

MASIC and Leigh Day gave evidence to the 2024 Birth Trauma Parliamentary Inquiry with further evidence from more than 1,300 women describing traumatic births, poor communication, inadequate consent and women feeling ignored.  

In May 2024, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Birth Trauma published its report: 'Listen to Mums: Ending the Postcode Lottery on Perinatal Care'. The APPG called on the government to publish a national maternity improvement strategy, and establish a maternity commissioner, a recommendation that has now been adopted by the government following publication of the Baroness Amos report this summer.  

MASIC continues to work as a member of the APPG led by Rosie Duffield MP and is honoured to have Donna Ockenden as its charity patron, alongside Theo Clarke – maternity campaigner and founding member of the Birth Trauma APPG.

MASIC CEO Chloe Oliver said:

“Since 2016 MASIC’s ethos has been clear: women’s voices must be at the centre of change. Their bravery in speaking openly about deeply personal experiences has transformed the conversation. When women share their stories, others recognise themselves and realise they are not alone. Policymakers listen. Healthcare professionals reflect. Every step forward over the last decade has been powered by those voices.

“Reaching 10 years as a small charity is no small feat, particularly in an economic climate that has been extraordinarily challenging for the voluntary sector. Organisations including Leigh Day have invested in MASIC financially, strategically, and with time and expertise - recognising both the need for our charity and its impact. As we look ahead, our mission remains clear. We will continue to campaign for better prevention, earlier identification and improved treatment of birth injuries. We will continue contributing to research, influencing policy, and expanding our support network so that every woman who comes to us finds understanding, information and hope. Above all, we will continue to ensure that women’s voices are heard.”

Leigh Day head of medical negligence Suzanne White said:

“MASIC’s outstanding work to put women’s voices at the centre of the birthing experience and to normalise conversation around what really happens to them on the labour ward, and the lifelong impacts for many, is something that absolutely deserves to be celebrated.

“Leigh Day is proud to be associated with MASIC and we were only too glad to be able to make sure this anniversary event took place. There is still much to do, but we are proud of what MASIC has achieved over the last decade and that Leigh Day has been alongside the charity from the very beginning.”

MASIC will host an anniversary celebration in the Houses of Parliament on 10 September 2026, hosted by Rosie Duffield and attended by its charity patrons.