THE Royal College of Midwives (RCM) are calling for more investment in maternity services as a recent report shows midwife numbers have fallen across the region.
England has seen midwife numbers plummet by around 600 over the past year on top of an existing and longstanding shortage of over 2000 midwives.
Dr Suzanne Tyler, executive director of Trade Union at the RCM said: “Even the smallest falls are putting increasing pressures on services already struggling with shortages, worsened by the pandemic.
“Report after report has warned about the dangers of poor staffing levels to safety yet midwife numbers have fallen significantly over the past year on top of already serious shortages in England.
“Now the birth-rate is on the rise again adding to the already significant demands on services.
“These figures must shock this moribund government into action for the sake of women, babies, their families, and staff.”
Justine Jeffery, director of Midwifery of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We expect to welcome 14 newly-qualified midwives next month, with a similar number of new midwives expected from the University of Worcester in February. In addition, we continue to actively run recruitment programmes for midwives and maternity support workers across our hospitals.
“Our Maternity Hub at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch – run by trained midwives – continues to provide pregnant women access to any care they need during their pregnancy and after they have given birth.”
Rachel Maclean, MP for Redditch, said: “As my report into returning a maternity service to the Alex acknowledges, we do need to recruit more midwives and I’ve always been clear about that.
“My report also makes clear that there are examples across England where Acute Trusts provide maternity services at more than one of their hospitals, including down the road in Gloucestershire. This is all happening right now. If it is possible in Gloucestershire, then I am certain it is possible here in Redditch and Worcestershire.
“Nevertheless, I have discussed this with my ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care and they agree more action must be taken.”
