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Midwife-led births 'should be the norm not exception' | Midwife-led births 'should be the norm not exception' |
(about 11 hours later) | |
By Jane Dreaper Health correspondent, BBC News | By Jane Dreaper Health correspondent, BBC News |
Maternity units should offer midwife-led care as the norm rather than the exception, says a health think tank. | Maternity units should offer midwife-led care as the norm rather than the exception, says a health think tank. |
The King's Fund report notes that last year only 10% of hospital births in England were in midwife-led wards. | The King's Fund report notes that last year only 10% of hospital births in England were in midwife-led wards. |
But it warns financial pressures mean it is unrealistic to expect significant increases in midwife numbers. | |
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said an extra 4,000 midwives were needed before a change in care patterns could be implemented. | |
The researchers looked at studies from the UK and other countries to find out how maternity services could be made safer - without any increase in resources. | The researchers looked at studies from the UK and other countries to find out how maternity services could be made safer - without any increase in resources. |
They recommend midwife-led care be used much more widely for women who are not at a high risk of having problematic births. | They recommend midwife-led care be used much more widely for women who are not at a high risk of having problematic births. |
One UK study suggested that £2.5m could be saved by getting midwives, rather than junior doctors, to examine healthy newborn babies. | One UK study suggested that £2.5m could be saved by getting midwives, rather than junior doctors, to examine healthy newborn babies. |
And the report says midwives' time could be used more effectively if maternity support workers and specialist nurses helped with some of their tasks. | And the report says midwives' time could be used more effectively if maternity support workers and specialist nurses helped with some of their tasks. |
The King's Fund's director of policy, Anna Dixon, said: "Expanding midwife-led care would free up doctors to spend more time caring for higher-risk women. | The King's Fund's director of policy, Anna Dixon, said: "Expanding midwife-led care would free up doctors to spend more time caring for higher-risk women. |
"Having sufficient staffing levels is important, but there is a need to rethink how staff are deployed." | "Having sufficient staffing levels is important, but there is a need to rethink how staff are deployed." |
'Folly' | 'Folly' |
The Royal College of Midwives believes up to 4,000 extra midwives are needed to keep pace with the UK's rising birth rate and the increased complexity of many births. | The Royal College of Midwives believes up to 4,000 extra midwives are needed to keep pace with the UK's rising birth rate and the increased complexity of many births. |
Its general secretary, Cathy Warwick, said: "Maternity care, like the rest of the NHS, is facing a storm of possible cuts to services. | Its general secretary, Cathy Warwick, said: "Maternity care, like the rest of the NHS, is facing a storm of possible cuts to services. |
"I am here to warn of the folly of such a course. It is difficult, if not impossible, to reorganise your workforce if you do not have enough of them in the first place." | |
The NHS is under pressure to save up to £20bn over the next four years by finding more efficient ways of working. | The NHS is under pressure to save up to £20bn over the next four years by finding more efficient ways of working. |
The parenting charity NCT (National Childbirth Trust) said it was delighted about the recommendation for more midwife-led care. | The parenting charity NCT (National Childbirth Trust) said it was delighted about the recommendation for more midwife-led care. |
Its chief executive, Belinda Phipps, described the report as "food for thought". | Its chief executive, Belinda Phipps, described the report as "food for thought". |
She said: "We welcome the focus on skills mix but we would warn against any changes driven by lack - either of money or midwives." | She said: "We welcome the focus on skills mix but we would warn against any changes driven by lack - either of money or midwives." |
A Department of Health spokesperson said: "We are committed to improving maternity care. There are currently a record number of midwives working in the NHS in England, with almost 300 more since May last year. | |
"The Government is committed to giving people more control over their own care. We want mothers-to-be to be able to have a normal birth wherever possible. | |
"There should be real choice over where to give birth, supported by accessible midwife-led care. | |
"We will continue to work with the RCM to make sure we have an appropriately resourced and skilled workforce based on the most up-to-date evidence." |
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