A review of the future safety of London’s midwife-led birthing units was demanded today amid concerns for pregnant women.
Campaigners fear a rise in the number of units not situated alongside hospitals could leave “at risk” mothers-to-be without a consultant nearby in an emergency.
It is one of a series of warnings made today in a report which claims that the capital’s NHS is “unravelling” and lacking strategic leadership as a result of a major reorganisation a year ago.
Some 57 per cent of babies born in London in 2012 had overseas mothers — more than double the national average. Ethnic minority women, especially those in social deprivation, have higher complication rates during pregnancy.
Lewisham hospital last year fought off plans to downgrade its maternity department to a midwife-led unit but campaigners fear more stand-alone units could result from the axing of services at Ealing and Charing Cross hospitals.
Report author John Lister said: “Most of the midwife-led units at the moment are in close proximity to consultant-led units. What concerns us is replacing or removing the consultant-led units.”
Today’s report from the People’s Inquiry, funded by the union Unite, follows public meetings in which 95 health chiefs, frontline staff and ordinary Londoners were invited to give their view of the state of the NHS to a panel of experts. It called for:
An academic-led review of hospital closure plans across London.
A “duty of candour” for health chiefs to disclose financial pressures.
More funding for London Ambulance Service, after hearing some patients not regarded as a priority were waiting two to three hours.
A new “democratically accountable” Londonwide health authority, involving borough councils.
The reintroduction of community health councils able to investigate local hospitals.
Action to avert a crisis in mental health, where more than half of new admissions are emergencies.
Inquiry chairman Roy Lilley said he was “truly shocked” at how the introduction of GP-led commissioning of services, and other changes in the Health and Social Care Act that came into force last April, had led to the fragmentation of care. Mr Lilley said: “It is clear there is no ‘London voice’ in planning its healthcare future.”
Dr Andy Mitchell, medical director for NHS England in London, said an independent study had found that midwifery units “are safe for both mother and baby”. He said they were used only by women whose pregnancy was low-risk and expecting a natural birth.
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Dr Mitchell said: “If there are any concerns about either mother or baby then they would not be offered this option, and would be advised to give birth in an obstetric unit.”
