 News
15th December 2006
Charity launches inquiry into safety of maternity
services
The King's Fund is conducting a year-long investigation into the safety
of maternity services in England.
The charitable foundation which carries out research for
better health will look at the safety record of maternity services, highlighting
where progress has been made as well as areas of concern.
The inquiry will also look at the incidence of complications
and death during pregnancy and birth and look at why these seem to be
particularly higher for more vulnerable groups.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the King's Fund, said,
"There is growing concern about the safety of maternity services and sufficient
evidence to suggest that all is not well.
"We know there have been dramatic improvements in maternal
and child health over the past 50 years. But there is now evidence to
suggest outcomes for some groups are deteriorating."
The inquiry, which is chaired by Baroness Onora O'Neill,
president of the British Academy has been launched amid worries about
cutbacks in maternity services leading to fewer midwives and the closure
of birthing units across the country.
Baroness O'Neill said the inquiry will focus particularly
on why poorer women were at increased risk of maternity related death
and complications.
"This review should give us the knowledge base we need to
tackle these problems effectively," she said, "and ensure all
maternity services in this country meet high standards of care."
The most recent research on maternal deaths said that 391
women died while giving birth or soon after in the years 200-2002.
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