This training documentary explores race inequalities within the NHS maternity system.

It uncovers the stories behind the MBRRACE report figures and looks for answers from leading race and diversity health professionals and campaigners.

Midwives and mothers talk frankly about the issues and how individuals can make a difference to create a positive impact on race inequality outcomes for mothers and within maternity teams.

The South East Perinatal Mental Health team is proud to present
The Bias Trap – A Way Forward:

Here is some feedback about the film:

“The narratives are compelling with positive messages and hope of change for better outcomes for our Black and ethnic minority mothers.”

Wendy Olayiwola BEM, RN, RM
National Maternity Lead for Equality
Professional Midwifery Advocate
NHS England and NHS Improvement

Here are some comments from the commissioners of the training documentary:

“When we started to develop our perinatal mental health health inequalities strategy, we decided that along with more traditional training we wanted something that could be used at scale to raise awareness of how our own biases can affect our outlook.

We are proud to present this very powerful and poignant film focusing on an important subject that requires exposure. We hope people will find it useful at both highlighting the issues as well as the key specific actions we all can take.

Please do cascade the film far and wide to aid awareness and training. Finally and most importantly, I’d like to offer my personal thanks and gratitude to everyone who contributed to the film, to the professionals who gave their experiences, and most importantly to the women and their families in sharing their heartfelt personal stories.”

Liz Cullen, Head of Clinical Delivery Perinatal Mental Health

“We wanted to commission a film which looked at the issues around race within the NHS, and could be used by all health professionals to raise awareness. Although it is filmed in maternity settings, it is really important to emphasise that these issues do not belong exclusively to maternity, they occur across all aspects of health care.

We felt that by focusing on bias we could really try to get staff to reflect on race issues from a different and important perspective. We realise how difficult it is to change attitudes unless you are aware of the personal lens of bias that all of us look through. It was really important that the film did not just highlight the issues, but that it offered some workable solutions too, and I’m so pleased with the end result which I feel doesn’t shy away from some of the heart wrenching stories but also offers hope that we can all play our part to start to turn things around.

We are all delighted with the final film and hope that it can take its place as a valuable aid for training across the NHS. I would like to say a personal thank you to everyone who has been involved in making the film, with of course my own special heartfelt thanks to those women and their families who were brave enough to let us share their stories.”

Jenny Walsh, South East Perinatal Mental Health Clinical Lead

Find out more at on our South East perinatal mental health webpage.