Official inquiry finds women in labour being refused epidurals

A government inquiry has found that in breach of official Nice guidelines, women in labour are being refused epidurals.

The investigation by the Department of Health also found that women may not be being kept fully informed that should they choose give birth in a midwife-led unit or at home, they may have to be transferred if they want an epidural.

Health minister Nadine Dorries, will write this week to all medical directors and heads of midwifery at NHS trusts, to remind them of the Nice guidance regarding pain relief during childbirth and to ensure it is being followed.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service’s director of external affairs Clare Murphy, said “the results of the government’s inquiry are sadly not surprising.

“We have spoken with many women who have been so traumatised by their experience of childbirth that they are considering ending what would otherwise be wanted pregnancies.

“Pain relief is sometimes treated as a ‘nice extra’ rather than an integral part of maternity care, and women and their families can suffer profoundly as a result.

“Staffing shortages may be an issue but we also know women may experience gatekeeping by healthcare professionals and be told labour ‘is meant to be hard work’”.

The Birth Trauma Association’s Maureen Treadwell, welcomed the findings, saying “We are delighted, at long last, that the Department for Health and Social Care is looking seriously at this issue. Inadequate epidural services and misinformation about risks is simply inexcusable. It is both inhumane and discriminatory.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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