Former Made In Chelsea star Louise Thompson led a protest outside Parliament on Wednesday, demanding improved maternity care and the appointment of a maternity commissioner. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has now agreed to meet with Thompson and Conservative MP Theo Clarke to discuss their petition, which has gathered more than 140,000 signatures.
The 35-year-old campaigner and Clarke staged the demonstration at College Green, calling for urgent action on what they describe as a "national scandal" in maternity services. Thompson spoke forcefully after the protest: «We stood outside Parliament today because the Government's 'wait and see' approach is costing lives. Failing maternity services are a national scandal, ruining the health of mums and babies through a lack of basic care. We aren't just here to share our trauma, we are here to demand the accountability that only a commissioner can provide.»
Clarke emphasized the need for expert oversight. «Only a maternity commissioner can bring the expertise maternity services desperately need if we are to turn the tide on this national scandal and protect mums and babies in our maternity units,» she said. «This protest was loud and clear: mums are demanding no more reports and recommendations but action to really tackle the failings we all know exist and only a maternity commissioner can address.»
Thompson's traumatic birth experience
Thompson's advocacy stems from her own near-fatal experience. When her son Leo was born in November 2021, she underwent an emergency caesarean section followed by a three-hour operation to stop a haemorrhage while she remained awake. She subsequently developed PTSD from the ordeal.
Her health struggles have continued since. Thompson has battled ulcerative colitis, which led to a total colectomy and stoma bag. She also suffers from lupus and hydrosalpinx. She chronicled these experiences in her 2024 book "Lucky."
Clarke co-led the UK's Birth Trauma Inquiry in 2024 alongside Independent MP Rosie Duffield. Thompson and Clarke launched their petition for improved maternity care last year, calling for both a maternity commissioner and a national maternity strategy.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
