Urgent Call for Improved Detection of Placenta Accreta Spectrum in the NHS

Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has launched a campaign aimed at improving the National Health Service's (NHS) ability to detect placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of childbirth. This initiative, known as the Action for Accreta campaign, was inspired by the experience of Amisha Adhia, who faced a near-fatal misdiagnosis of PAS despite multiple assessments across various London NHS trusts.

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Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall, which can lead to severe bleeding during childbirth. The condition is often undetected until delivery, posing significant risks to both mothers and infants. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is currently revising its guidelines for the first time since 2018, a process that Hunt emphasizes should incorporate patient experiences and emerging data.

The Guardian

• Jeremy Hunt: Chair of Westminster’s all-party parliamentary group on patient safety, advocating for improved detection and training regarding PAS.

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• Amisha Adhia: Affected individual whose experience prompted the campaign, highlighting systemic failures in the detection of PAS.

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• Dr. Alison Wright: President of the RCOG, overseeing the revision of guidelines related to maternal health.

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• Philip Hunt: Former Labour health minister, expressing concerns about the lack of national data on PAS cases.

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In his letter to Dr. Alison Wright, Hunt urged the RCOG to consider patient concerns in its guideline revisions, stressing the need for improved national surveillance and training for healthcare staff. He stated, “The fact that an obstetrician did eventually spot her PAS ensured that she received the correct care and avoided catastrophic circumstances.” Adhia echoed this sentiment, asserting that her experience is part of a broader pattern, indicating systemic issues in maternal healthcare.

The Guardian

Critics, including Philip Hunt and Helen Morgan, have raised alarms about the NHS's current inability to consistently identify PAS cases. Morgan stated, “Missed cases of PAS show that our current system is failing to spot when women are at risk.” She emphasized the need for better training to ensure early detection and appropriate care for patients. Lord Hunt has called on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to implement a national strategy for PAS detection and treatment.

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The RCOG is expected to publish updated guidance for healthcare providers in the summer of 2026. This revision aims to address the concerns raised by patients and advocates, with a focus on enhancing the training of medical staff to improve outcomes for women and babies affected by PAS.

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• “This is not my family’s story alone. It is a pattern. More women are coming forward. That tells us that this is not isolated and it cannot be ignored.” — Amisha Adhia, Campaign Advocate

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• “When a condition can lead to catastrophic haemorrhage within minutes, that lack of visibility should concern us all.” — Philip Hunt, Former Labour Health Minister

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• “Women, doctors and midwives feel trapped in a system where nothing changes and the same errors are repeated review after review.” — Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrats’ Health Spokesperson

The Guardian