Foster tables EDM in Opposition to Government's Maternity Cuts

10.05.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st Nov 2007

Bath's MP, Don Foster, has tabled a Commons Motion calling on the Government to stop cuts to maternity services.

In September Don marched through the city with members of the National Childcare Trust to raise awareness of the shortage of midwives and to highlight the situation in Bath, which has seen the number of community midwives fall by a third from eighteen to twelve; NHS ante-natal classes stopped and post natal home visits by midwives reduced.

Commenting, Don said, "It is scandalous that hospitals have had to cut funds for maternity services in response to deficits at a time when the birth rate has been rising year on year.

"Cuts to maternity services in Bath have been raised as a concern by many of those replying to my recent NHS Inquiry and the current situation is unacceptable.

"Childbirth is a poignant and significant time for women and it is crucial that first class services are available during and after pregnancy.

"The Government must address this problem and provide sufficient funds to ensure that every expectant mother has access to the high quality, choice led, maternity care that she deserves."

Mary Newburn, Head of Policy Research at the NCT, added,"Making Maternity Matters [DH 2007] a reality means investing in services that support women most.

"There is a need for greater investment in our midwifery services; to provide women with the support that suits their needs and to provide women with continuity of care in pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period, someone to rely on at every stage on their journey to becoming a parent."

The text of the EDM reads as follows:

That this House notes with concern the fall in the proportion of the NHS workforce made up of midwives and the fall in the number of places for student midwives; further notes that in response to NHS deficits, one in three hospitals have cut funds for maternity care yet the number of live births in England rose 12.5 per cent. between 2001 and 2006; and calls on the Government to provide sufficient funds so that women are supported by the same midwife throughout their pregnancy and have access to their choice of antenatal and postnatal care.

You can see which other MPs sign the EDM by following this link: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=34404&SESSION=891