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Midwife-led care is not a downgrading Midwife-led care is not a downgrading
(7 months later)
I was concerned to read your news report (Hunt 'risking future of smaller hospitals' with London ruling, 1 February) which referred to plans to "downgrade" maternity units at Lewisham to midwifery-led units, and an accompanying analysis piece (Why NHS must be a service for all, 1 February) that said: "The closure of the maternity unit for a 'midwife-led' one without specialist equipment or consultants is also a blow."I was concerned to read your news report (Hunt 'risking future of smaller hospitals' with London ruling, 1 February) which referred to plans to "downgrade" maternity units at Lewisham to midwifery-led units, and an accompanying analysis piece (Why NHS must be a service for all, 1 February) that said: "The closure of the maternity unit for a 'midwife-led' one without specialist equipment or consultants is also a blow."
However, we do not consider midwife-led care a downgrading, but a reflection of high-quality provision of maternity services ensuring many women can have their care, including during birth, locally and safely. Research, such as the University of Oxford's Birthplace study in 2011, has demonstrated clearly the safety of midwife-led care for low-risk pregnant women – those without medical complications.However, we do not consider midwife-led care a downgrading, but a reflection of high-quality provision of maternity services ensuring many women can have their care, including during birth, locally and safely. Research, such as the University of Oxford's Birthplace study in 2011, has demonstrated clearly the safety of midwife-led care for low-risk pregnant women – those without medical complications.
Mothers need and deserve a choice of where to give birth, such as midwife-led units, and access to home birth, as well as access to a traditional consultant-led unit.Mothers need and deserve a choice of where to give birth, such as midwife-led units, and access to home birth, as well as access to a traditional consultant-led unit.
The Royal College of Midwives does not support the closure of the obstetric unit at Lewisham as we do not believe there is adequate capacity in other south London services to ensure all women receive safe care. Indeed, we have been proud to march with local midwives on the protest marches organised by Save Lewisham Hospital campaign.The Royal College of Midwives does not support the closure of the obstetric unit at Lewisham as we do not believe there is adequate capacity in other south London services to ensure all women receive safe care. Indeed, we have been proud to march with local midwives on the protest marches organised by Save Lewisham Hospital campaign.
However, if the decision is taken to close the obstetric unit at Lewisham it will be in the interests of women and their families for all concerned to stop decrying midwifery-led units.
Professor Cathy Warwick
Chief executive, Royal College of Midwives		However, if the decision is taken to close the obstetric unit at Lewisham it will be in the interests of women and their families for all concerned to stop decrying midwifery-led units.
Professor Cathy Warwick
Chief executive, Royal College of Midwives
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