Louise Thompson
Initially gaining prominence as an original cast member on one of the UK's pioneering reality TV shows, Made in Chelsea, Louise has since transcended the reality TV archetype to emerge as a revered voice for women's maternity rights.
In 2021, Louise almost lost her life on two separate occasions during the birth of her first child. The ordeal left Louise with a number of life-altering conditions, as she now uses a stoma bag, as well as having undergone therapy for PTSD to help heal her emotional scars.
The NHS conducted a report into Louise's case, and their conclusions acknowledged that the maternity care provided didn't meet the standards they'd expect. Although she survived, Louise developed Asherman's syndrome as a byproduct of her birth and has since been told by doctors that she won't be able to carry another child.
Sadly, Louise's case is all too common. Failing maternity services across the UK have resulted in a national scandal costing the lives of mothers and babies across the country. Since 2015, there have been many high-profile inquiries into deaths and injuries at maternity units across the UK. The Ockenden Review into Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust maternity services is perhaps the most high-profile. Initially sparked by an inquiry into two tragic deaths, it grew to examine 1,486 families and 1,592 clinical incidents - identifying 201 baby deaths and nine deaths of women.
In January, Louise launched a petition urging the government to roll out a dedicated maternity strategy to rebuild the underfunded system that is costing the lives of hundreds of mothers and babies across the country.
After Parliament debated her petition earlier this month, Louise met privately with the former Health Secretary. In this meeting, the Health Secretary gave Louise a vote of confidence, assuring her that Parliament should implement her recommendations and appoint a maternity commissioner. It marks a monumental stride for women's maternity rights, as Louise hopes to make history with this first-of-its-kind political appointment.
It's an inspiring story of a woman who truly turned her pain into purpose and a public mandate for reform.
