Maternity care review, Weight training and weight loss drugs, Bows in fashion

Dec 9, 2025

Guest

David Henderson

Guest

In this engaging discussion, Michael Buchanan, BBC Social Affairs correspondent, and Theo Clarke, former Conservative MP, delve into the sobering findings of Baroness Amos' report on unacceptable maternity care in England, stressing the urgent need for accountability and policy change. Dr. Sarah Jarvis highlights the serious risks of muscle loss associated with weight loss drugs, emphasizing the importance of strength training. Meanwhile, David Henderson examines the implications of a recent tribunal ruling on single-sex spaces, sparking a broader conversation about gender and rights in health care.

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INSIGHT

Culture Drives Recurrent Failures

Cultural problems in maternity care include not listening to women, ideology about 'normal birth', and cursory investigations.
Michael Buchanan highlights repeated mistakes across trusts due to cultural failures, not just resources.

ANECDOTE

Personal Birth Trauma Example

Theo Clarke recounts her 40-hour labour, postpartum haemorrhage and a third-degree tear requiring theatre repair.
She uses this to illustrate how antenatal education often omits birth injury risks.

ADVICE

Protect Muscle When Using Weight-Loss Drugs

Combine GLP-1 weight-loss drugs with resistance training and adequate protein to protect muscle mass during rapid weight loss.
Sarah Jarvis warns clinics must provide exercise and nutrition advice, especially when drugs are prescribed privately.

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Baroness Amos, who was appointed by the Health Secretary to lead an independent rapid investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care in England, has said nothing prepared her for the scale of "unacceptable care" that women and families have received. Presenter Krupa Padhy is joined by the BBC’s Social Affairs correspondent Michael Buchanan and Theo Clarke, former Conservative MP who also chaired the UK Birth Trauma Inquiry and hosts the podcast, Breaking the Taboo, to discuss those initial reflections and what comes next. We examine a new report which highlights the crucial role of strength training and exercise for people on weight loss drugs. Data gathered by fitness professionals, Les Mills and the not-for-profit industry body, ukactive, shows the impact of weight loss drugs on skeletal muscle mass. Their report says that 20-50% of weight loss is lean body mass, which poses significant health risks such as frailty, disability, reduced metabolism, and increased mortality. Physiotherapist Lucy McDonald and Dr Sarah Jarvis join Krupa to discuss the importance of strength training to mitigate muscle loss. Yesterday, nurse Sandie Peggie, who objected to sharing a female changing room with a transgender doctor, won part of her employment tribunal against NHS Fife. She was suspended from her job after she confronted Dr Beth Upton in 2023. The tribunal ruled she was harassed by NHS Fife but other allegations of discrimination and victimisation were dismissed. We hear more from Lorna Gordon, the BBC's Scotland Correspondent, who has been following the case. From Kate Garraway’s iconic jumper on The Celebrity Traitors to Lily Allen’s album launch dress, bows are everywhere right now. But are they practical or a deliberate gesture of femininity? And why have we seen this resurgence of bows in fashion? The Guardian’s fashion and lifestyle editor Morwenna Ferrier and Dr Sarah Grant from the V&A join Krupa to discuss the history and sudden popularity of bows. Presented by: Krupa Padhy Produced by: Sarah Jane Griffiths