Louise Thompson has declared she will 'not go away' as she intensifies her campaign to establish an independent maternity commissioner in the UK. The 35-year-old former Made In Chelsea star, who was diagnosed with PTSD after the traumatic birth of her son Leo in 2021, is collaborating with former Conservative MP Theo Clarke to address what they describe as 'shockingly poor quality' in maternity services nationwide.
Campaign Update and House of Lords Visit
In a detailed Instagram update on Thursday, Thompson revealed she attended oral questions at the House of Lords after her petition garnered over 147,000 signatures. She expressed frustration with the government's response, noting it was 'very predictable' as they focus on the Baroness Amos enquiry instead. Thompson emphasized her determination, stating, 'Not planning on leaving any stone unturned. I feel a bit like taxes and death. I will not go away.'
Personal Motivation and Advocacy
Thompson's drive stems from her own harrowing experience, which includes developing Asherman's Syndrome, worsening bowel issues, and emergency surgery after a post-natal haemorrhage, leaving her unable to carry another child. She wrote, 'For as long as I have flashback episodes, intrusive thoughts and other residual wounds I will endure enough anxiety + anger to keep pushing me forward on this mission to help others.' She highlighted the importance of the campaign by reflecting on her son, saying, 'I only have to glance at my son in the morning to imagine what my life could have been without him.'
Government Engagement and Challenges
Despite reaching out to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting and agreeing to a meeting a month ago, Thompson has yet to receive a response, prompting her to send a personal letter. During her Lords visit, Baroness Gohir raised a question about the petition, but Thompson was disappointed by the overall reaction. She noted, 'They're putting all of their eggs into one basket with the Baroness Amos enquiry.' However, she found support from some peers and exchanged contact details with several MPs, who discussed barriers like treasury constraints and workload issues.
Call for Independence and Public Support
Thompson argues for an independent maternity commissioner, citing political instability since Brexit, with party defections and leadership changes distracting from maternity care reforms. She stated, 'Giving birth affects the safety of multiple lives. Surely that has to sit outside of conventional politics. Maternity care deserves consistency it deserves to lean on ONE FIXED CONSTANT.' With the petition now at 157,000 signatures, she urged followers to write to their local MPs using a template on her website, hoping to secure a public debate in Parliament.
Future Goals and Task Force Involvement
Looking ahead, Thompson mentioned a potential new task force and expressed her desire to represent the thousands of women who share their experiences with her daily. She concluded, 'The way I see it - there is no one that loses from having a maternity commissioner. Only so much to gain.' Her collaboration with Theo Clarke and Baroness Gohir continues as they push for systemic change in maternity services across the UK.
