More maternity units shutting doors, midwives union warns

A survey suggests that 42 per cent of units were shut down temporarily in 2014. The poll, which included 83 heads of midwifery at NHS trusts, revealed that there had been an increase in the number of units closing, with 33 per cent also shutting their doors the previous year.

The RCM explained services were being affected by budget cuts, resulting in midwives struggling to cope in midst of a rising birth rate and increasingly complex births.

RCM chief executive Cathy Warwick said: “All of this shows a system that is creaking at the seams and only able to deliver high quality care through the efforts and dedication of its staff.

"When services are operating at or beyond their capacity, safety is compromised and mistakes can, and almost certainly will be made, through no fault of the dedicated staff delivering the service."

According to Warwick, the government was responsible and was ‘letting down women, babies and their families', along with 'the staff they purport to value'.

Figures show that, on average, each unit closed its doors on 4.8 separate occasions this year, with the highest incidence of closure being 23 times.

90 per cent of the midwives polled expressed concern that their unit cases were more complex than the previous year, while 30 per cent said they struggled as a result of midwife shortages. A further 11 per cent claimed that vital services such as bereavement support and breastfeeding help have been reduced.

The RCM has announced that there is a shortage of 2,600 full-time midwives.

Dr Clare McKenzie, vice-president for education at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said the data is 'extremely worrying'.

She said: “Stretched and understaffed maternity services affect the quality and safety of care provided to mothers and babies, and restricts the choices available to women.

"On the whole the UK is a safe place for women to give birth but pressure on maternity services is growing, placing stress on doctors, midwives, managers and patients."

Dr McKenzie added that the increase in complications occurring during pregnancy was primarily due to rising levels of obesity, multiple pregnancies and higher levels of older first-time mothers.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We're determined to make sure every mother and baby gets the highest quality care no matter where they live.

"We've invested in 1,900 more midwives and 3,600 more health visitors since 2010 and NHS England has commissioned a major independent review of maternity services for women and babies across the country."

Read more