Midwives ‘buckling’ under pressure due to ‘plummeting’ numbers

The Royal College of Midwives has warned that ‘plummeting’ midwives risk the health of staff, mothers and babies, adding that more investment in maternity services was needed to ensure the safety and quality of care.

 

Dr Suzannel Tyler, executive director of the RCM, said midwives and maternity support workers were “buckling with the sheer weight of demands on them” and went on to say that services were “remaining safe simply because of the sheer effort and dedication” of maternity staff.

 

She added “The service is crumbling before our eyes and the government cannot and must not ignore it.”

 

The union have said that around 600 midwives had left the service over the past year, adding to “an existing and longstanding shortage” of more than 2,000.  They said that a survey last year showed that 57 per cent of midwives were thinking of leaving the NHS, and cited concerns about the safety and quality of care they were giving as being the main reason.

 

Dr Tyler said “report after report” had warned about the dangers of low staffing levels to safety.

 

She said “The falls across the regions are compounding the difficulties employers are facing to recruit and keep their midwives.”

 

She added that an “insulting” pay offer and “simmering and palpable discontent” was pushing staff out of the health service.

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record.  The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence.  He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims.  Tony also acts as a Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled.  Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk.  Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win, no fee solicitors for free legal advice on Freephone 0800 304 7382