 News
22nd September 2008
Midwives have to handle three births at onceMidwives
are in such short supply that some have to care for three women in labour at the
same time, an expert has warned. Although some areas are experiencing a
baby boom, with birthrates rising by up to 20 per cent, there are vacancies for
midwives in every part of the country, the Royal College of Midwives said. Meanwhile
funding for maternity services has been cut by £55million, it added. Louise
Silverton, who is deputy general secretary at the RCM, said: 'Women keep hearing
about Government policy statements, such as one-to-one care from a midwife, but
they are not getting that sort of treatment in many areas. 'Our members
are telling us that they are overworked and overstretched and are running between
beds dealing with, in some cases, three women at once.' By next year ministers
have promised that women will be able to choose whether to have their child in
hospital, at home or in a midwife-led birth centre. But the RCM's research
appeared to undermine this promise, Miss Silverton added. The Government
has pledged 3,400 extra full-time posts - or 4,000 jobs when part-time workers
are taken into account. But the research, for the Darzi review into the
NHS, shows a shortfall in England of 4,288 midwives. And since 2001 there has
been a 16 per cent rise in birthrates. In some areas this has been associated
with high migrant populations. The shortfall is estimated after comparing
it with the NHS 'gold standard' for safer childbirth, which demands one midwife
per 28 births. The worst shortages are in London where 1,150 more midwives
are needed to meet a 20 per cent rise in the birthrate. Miss Silverton
said: 'The maternity services have long been described as a postcode lottery -
but our regional NHS responses paint a shocking picture of just how loaded that
lottery for maternity care is.' Ministers have promised £ 330million of
extra funding for maternity services over three years. But, according to
Miss Silverton, research shows that nine out of ten maternity units do not know
where their share of the £330million had gone - and it could have been diverted
into other services. She said: 'It is not enough for the Government to
say it has put money into maternity services, but then fail to make sure the money
actually goes where it is supposed to.' The Department of Health said:
'Our maternity services are the safest they have ever been. We are committed to
improving outcomes for both mothers and babies.' Where
to next? | 
