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Midwives in the NHS
17 January 2022
Lead MP
Siobhan Baillie
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
NHSEmployment
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Siobhan Baillie raised concerns about midwives in the nhs in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Siobhan Baillie highlighted the urgent crisis in maternity services, noting that midwives and doulas marched to raise concerns. She shared her personal experience as a pregnant woman and praised her local midwifery team for their exceptional care. The March with Midwives manifesto was discussed, which includes demands such as listening to staff, funding pay rises, enabling self-employed midwives to work, and providing additional support for breastfeeding and antenatal education. Baillie pointed out the critical staffing issues affecting midwives' ability to provide high-quality care. She cited data indicating a shortfall of over 2,000 full-time equivalent midwives and highlighted the stress and burnout experienced by many midwives due to long hours, lack of breaks, and administrative burdens. The impact on patient care was emphasised, with statistics showing increased clinical negligence claims and disparities in maternal mortality rates among different ethnic groups. Baillie called for more detailed information on recruitment plans and measures to improve working conditions.
Nigel Evans
Con
Central Fylde
Announced that Taiwo Owatemi may make a short contribution.
Taiwo Owatemi
Labour Co-op
Coventry North West
Discussed the severe staff and resource shortages affecting midwives, citing figures from the Royal College of Midwives. She highlighted poor working conditions for midwives, including lack of breaks and sleep, which can negatively impact patient care.
Maria Caulfield
Con
Lewes
Acknowledged the pressure on midwives due to staff shortages and complex cases. She highlighted efforts by the Government to increase staffing levels, including recruitment from overseas, support for returners, and funding for digital maternity programmes.
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the pressure on midwives due to staff shortages and highlighted efforts by the Government to address these issues. He noted that Health Education England has invested £95 million to support recruitment of additional midwives and obstetricians, along with funding for new workforce planning tools at a local level. The Minister also mentioned initiatives such as encouraging returners through a payment scheme, increasing student training places, recruiting from overseas, and improving the working environment through digitalisation efforts. He emphasised the importance of addressing staffing numbers, enhancing working conditions, and supporting midwives to improve the safety of maternity care.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.