Since 2001, the number of live births in England has increased by almost 71,000 (12.5%), and is now at a 26-year high. In 2006, 635,679 live births were recorded. However, the increase in the number of midwives has not kept pace, rising by 4.5% over the same period.

The Royal College of Midwives recommends that each midwife should deliver 27.5 babies a year. However, the surge in live births meant that on average each midwife in England delivered 33.7 babies last year.

The Conservatives said government experts had under-estimated the actual number of live births last year by nearly 40,000.

They said the intense pressure being placed on midwives explained why the rate of home births – which are time consuming and labour intensive – is relatively low.

Units under threat

Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley also argued a shortage of midwives was jeopardising the future of some maternity-led units as midwives were being deployed to larger consultant-led units to ensure safe staffing levels.

We have seen too many service cuts, too many midwives lost, and too many mothers and babies getting a service that should shame the fourth richest country in the world

He said: “Labour’s plans for maternity services are in chaos. Their flagship policy to offer choices to expectant mothers over where and how they give birth is underpinned by assumptions about the number of births which are wide of the mark.”

“Labour are trying to pursue a policy for which they do not have the staff. We are 3,600 midwives short and yet the number of midwives is going down and newly trained midwives can’t find jobs.”

Dame Karlene Davis, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said a survey of heads of midwifery carried out by the college last month showed three quarters had seen an increase in birth rate on their units, and over 80% did not have staffing levels they needed to cope.

She said the problem would be compounded by the fact almost 45% of midwives were set to retire over the next decade.

She said: “We have seen too many service cuts, too many midwives lost, and too many mothers and babies getting a service that should shame the fourth richest country in the world. Action is needed, and needed now, to put the resources and effort needed into maternity services.”

From:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6745395.stm

On Feb 12, 2007 Helath Direct posted: Expectant mothers are turned away due to midwife shortage when a dire shortage of midwives is forcing maternity units to turn away expectant mothers, a survey has found.

Figures show that centres across England closed temporarily for a total of 170 days last year, during which time women would have had to go elsewhere for help.The survey, collated by the controversial research organisation Dr Foster, found that 24 of the 39 maternity units forced to close had to do so for periods of 24 hours or more.

There are fears that the situation could worsen further still after the labour Government last week outlined plans for maternity services that could see dozens of units shut down permanently and pregnant women forced to travel further to give birth.

Louise Silverton, the deputy general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “We have 25,000 midwives in the UK but 55 per cent of them work part time. We estimate that we need 10,000 more.

The minister in charge of maternity care sparked controversy last week when he failed to turn up at the launch of the review of the service. Ivan Lewis, who had already been accused of hypocrisy for campaigning against health cuts in his Bury constituency, said he had to attend another event in his role as minister for older people.

The dire circumstances that faces the midwifery profession was highlighted by Health Direct on
Jan 10, 2007 when the RCM warned that Maternity cash is cut amid boom in the birthrate, say midwives.

The survey produced a “depressing picture” of cuts, job freezes, shortages and financial crises.

The survey found that midwifery units recruited an average of 6.3 newly qualified midwives last year, compared with 6.8 in 2005. The average unit had 21 maternity support workers last year, compared with 19 in 2005.

Ms Silverton said: “This is irrefutable proof that midwives are under enormous pressure and nothing is being done to alleviate the situation. Unless midwifery services are expanded there is no hope of the labour government’s manifesto commitments being achieved.”