Welcome to the South Asian Maternal Health Conference 2026
Introduction
We’re delighted to warmly welcome you to our second South Asian Maternal Health Conference in what promises to be a vital moment to come together, reflect, and drive meaningful change.
South Asian women continue to experience disproportionately poor outcomes in maternal and neonatal care, with overwhelming evidence that these disparities are driven by systemic inequalities.
This year’s conference comes at a critical moment for maternity and neonatal care in the UK. As the national maternity and neonatal investigation led by Baroness Amos progresses, early reflections have already exposed unacceptable variations in care, reaffirming long‑standing concerns about structural barriers and inequity.
Together, we will examine the root causes of these disparities, amplify lived experiences of South Asian women, and share evidence-informed solutions that offer an important opportunity for system-wide improvement across maternity and neonatal services.
As legal experts, we help families get the answers and support they need to move forward. Hearing these experiences first-hand reinforces our commitment to help drive positive change.
We hope the day equips and inspires you to take forward this work in creating lasting, positive change for South Asian maternal health.
Geeta Nayar
Senior Associate Solicitor, Irwin Mitchell
Meet our hosts:
Dr Nighat Arif
GP, Author and Broadcaster
An Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Dr Nighat is a GP specialising in women's health, family planning and menopause care, with over 18 years of experience in the NHS. She is an Ambassador for Wellbeing of Women and co-founder of The Health Collective. Dr Nighat is also a health content creator, working with YouTube Health and the WHO Fides programme, as well as being the author of the bestselling book ‘The Knowledge: Your Guide to Female Health from Menstruation to the Menopause’ and the recently-released ‘The Complete Guide to Family Health'.
Geeta Nayar
Senior Associate Solicitor
Geeta Nayar is a Senior Associate Solicitor, Advocate for The MASIC Foundation, Birth Trauma Association, Make Birth Better Champion and co-chairs the firms regional diversity network. During the birth of her first child Geeta sustained life-changing obstetric injuries and as a result of her journey collaborates closely with healthcare professionals, charity partners and key stakeholders to drive positive change in maternity care. Geeta gave evidence at the first Parliamentary Inquiry into birth trauma and is regularly invited to share her expertise at NHS Trusts and healthcare conferences including the HSJ Patient Safety Congress, RCOG World Congress and NHS ConfedExpo. Geeta is also passionate about health equity and pioneered the landmark South Asian Maternal Health Conference to address disparities in outcomes and to give a voice to those who face additional barriers in maternity care.
Professor Ranee Thakar
Immediate Past President, The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Professor Ranee Thakar MD, FRCOG, is a highly respected Consultant Obstetrician and Urogynaecologist based in London, with extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of pelvic floor and perineal conditions across a woman’s life course. She is also an Honorary Professor of Women’s Health at the University of Liverpool.
Preet Kaur Gill MP
Minister for Health Innovation and Safety
Elected in 2017, Preet Kaur Gill is the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for the Department of Health and Social Care, and the UK’s first female Sikh MP. Preet has previously served as a Private Secretary (PPS) to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology; Shadow Minister for International Development; Shadow Secretary of State for International Development; Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Public Health; and PPS to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
