MBRRACE-UK: Saving Lives, Improving Mothers' Care – implications for anaesthetists

•UK maternal mortality has fallen from 11 per 100 000 in 2006–8 to 10 per 100 000 in 2009–2012.•One-third were direct deaths and two-thirds were indirect deaths.•Leading causes of direct deaths are thrombosis, genital tract sepsis and haemorrhage.•Leading causes of indirect deaths are ‘other indirect’, cardiac, neurological diseases.•Four anaesthetic deaths occurred; two from general anaesthesia, two as a result of accidental dural puncture.

In December 2014, the latest UK Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths report was published, covering the surveillance period from 2009 to 2012. This is the first report since a significant change in the organisational structure of the body responsible for surveillance and dissemination of reports. The Confidential Enquiry Reports are regarded as a gold standard worldwide and have contributed to quality improvement of maternity care both in the UK and elsewhere. This article aims to give obstetric anaesthetists an overview of the current report and highlight the pertinent implications for anaesthetic practice.