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| Maternity services 'at key point' | Maternity services 'at key point' |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Maternity services in England are at a critical point, the leader of the midwives' union says. | Maternity services in England are at a critical point, the leader of the midwives' union says. |
| Speaking ahead of the Royal College of Midwives' annual conference, Cathy Warwick said progress was being made. | Speaking ahead of the Royal College of Midwives' annual conference, Cathy Warwick said progress was being made. |
| But she added the target to give women a choice of where to give birth looked like it would be missed, while there were signs budgets were being squeezed. | |
| The government said extra money was being invested and staff recruited, proving maternity care was a priority. | The government said extra money was being invested and staff recruited, proving maternity care was a priority. |
| The rising birth rate means that services are struggling to develop and maintain a range of care Cathy Warwick, of the Royal College of Midwives | The rising birth rate means that services are struggling to develop and maintain a range of care Cathy Warwick, of the Royal College of Midwives |
| Labour's manifesto promise at the last general election was that by 2009 all women would have a choice over where and how they have their baby and what pain relief to use. | Labour's manifesto promise at the last general election was that by 2009 all women would have a choice over where and how they have their baby and what pain relief to use. |
| The party also said that every woman should be supported by the same midwife throughout her pregnancy. | The party also said that every woman should be supported by the same midwife throughout her pregnancy. |
| While some aspects of this look like being met, choice of a home birth, hospital delivery or midwife-led birth unit was proving more difficult, Professor Warwick said. | While some aspects of this look like being met, choice of a home birth, hospital delivery or midwife-led birth unit was proving more difficult, Professor Warwick said. |
| She said surveys suggested full choice was only offered in about 50%of cases. | She said surveys suggested full choice was only offered in about 50%of cases. |
| She said services were also struggling to cope with the spiralling birth rate - it has jumped by 20% since 2001. | She said services were also struggling to cope with the spiralling birth rate - it has jumped by 20% since 2001. |
| Staffing numbers have also increased, but by less than 10%, leaving the health service short of 5,000 in total, the union believes. | Staffing numbers have also increased, but by less than 10%, leaving the health service short of 5,000 in total, the union believes. |
| The government has promised to recruit an extra 3,400 midwives in the coming years, but Professor Warwick said: "I think we have reached a critical point. Extra money has trickled down, but not enough. | The government has promised to recruit an extra 3,400 midwives in the coming years, but Professor Warwick said: "I think we have reached a critical point. Extra money has trickled down, but not enough. |
| "We need to make sure we get extra midwives into the NHS, but some places are seeing budgets cut and staffing shortages. | "We need to make sure we get extra midwives into the NHS, but some places are seeing budgets cut and staffing shortages. |
| "The rising birth rate means that services are struggling to develop and maintain a range of care." | "The rising birth rate means that services are struggling to develop and maintain a range of care." |
| Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
| She said ante-natal and post-natal care were particularly vulnerable at a time when the NHS budget was likely to see a freeze or even a cut in the coming years. | She said ante-natal and post-natal care were particularly vulnerable at a time when the NHS budget was likely to see a freeze or even a cut in the coming years. |
| But she also pointed out that students were struggling to find jobs - a survey carried out for the conference revealed 75% were not confident of finding a position. | But she also pointed out that students were struggling to find jobs - a survey carried out for the conference revealed 75% were not confident of finding a position. |
| Her comments come as nearly 1,000 nurses gather in Manchester for the two-day conference. | Her comments come as nearly 1,000 nurses gather in Manchester for the two-day conference. |
| Also attending will be Health Secretary Andy Burnham and shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley, who will set out their visions for future care. | Also attending will be Health Secretary Andy Burnham and shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley, who will set out their visions for future care. |
| Mr Lansley, in his speech on Thursday, is expected to promise more funding for community services and rural areas as a whole. | Mr Lansley, in his speech on Thursday, is expected to promise more funding for community services and rural areas as a whole. |
| He will also say the NHS funding system has created a perverse incentive to encourage hospitals to carry out caesarean sections instead of natural births. | He will also say the NHS funding system has created a perverse incentive to encourage hospitals to carry out caesarean sections instead of natural births. |
| He will say: "Labour haven't delivered on their promises to give women real choice, to provide proper care during pregnancy and following birth." | He will say: "Labour haven't delivered on their promises to give women real choice, to provide proper care during pregnancy and following birth." |
| But the government defended itself against criticisms. | But the government defended itself against criticisms. |
| Health minister Ann Keen said an extra £330m - about a sixth of the overall maternity budget - was being invested into services. | Health minister Ann Keen said an extra £330m - about a sixth of the overall maternity budget - was being invested into services. |
| "All women can expect individual support from a midwife, supported by a wider maternity team throughout her labour and birth." | "All women can expect individual support from a midwife, supported by a wider maternity team throughout her labour and birth." |