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[Sir Christopher Chope in the Chair]
09 October 2024
Lead MP
Max Wilkinson
Cheltenham
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Karin Smyth
Tags
NHSEmployment
Word Count: 12335
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Max Wilkinson raised concerns about [sir christopher chope in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should seek to reinstate maternity services in places such as Cheltenham and Stroud. It must address the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis in midwifery, particularly in cases where a section 31 notice exacerbates these issues by making it harder for local trusts to recruit staff due to increased monitoring and bureaucracy.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
NHS maternity services across the country are struggling, and this is especially evident in Gloucestershire. A recent 'Panorama' documentary highlighted several harrowing stories of failures in maternity care that resulted in distressing experiences for pregnant women and their families. The service at Gloucestershire Royal hospital has been rated inadequate for two consecutive years, and a section 31 safety enforcement notice was served in May. Cheltenham's midwife-led Aveta birth unit closed due to a shortage of midwives and remains closed with no clear timeline for reopening. Additionally, the research by the Royal College of Midwives shows that midwives are working an estimated 120,000 unpaid hours weekly, indicating extreme overwork which is linked to high levels of sickness absence among staff.
Alex McIntyre
Lab
Gloucester
Mr. McIntyre shared his personal experience of giving birth in Gloucestershire and highlighted the challenges faced by maternity services, including staffing shortages, midwives working unpaid overtime, and a lack of written discharge notes for new mothers. He also mentioned tragic deaths at Gloucestershire Royal hospital due to chronic staffing issues and raised concerns about CQC inspections that have been very concerning.
Bobby Dean
Lib Dem
Carshalton and Wallington
The Epsom and St Helier trust in Bobby Dean's constituency has seen its maternity services downgraded to 'requires improvement' with the safety element being inadequate due to building issues. The hospital faces challenges such as unsecured operating theatres, lack of soundproofing, and cramped conditions that affect staff morale and patient comfort. In addition to infrastructure problems, there is a shortage of qualified midwives and poor phone support for new mothers.
Cameron Thomas
Lib Dem
Tewkesbury
The MP highlighted the importance of midwifery in Gloucestershire, noting that full-time midwife posts have only risen by 7% despite a 34% increase in NHS workforce. He cited a Royal College of Midwives survey showing that nationally, midwives and maternity support workers carried out 120,000 hours of unpaid work in one week. Cameron Thomas also discussed the inspection report on Gloucestershire maternity services and called for transparency and retrospective action following an external investigation.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
She highlighted the importance of childbirth as a special moment in families' lives, praising the NHS's midwives, obstetricians, and other staff for their exceptional work. Caroline noted that while centralised services offer expertise and specialist care, they can feel impersonal and remote for those living in rural areas. She expressed concern about the balance between centralisation and localisation of services and urged the Government to carefully consider the case for a midwifery centre in Cheltenham. Additionally, she raised concerns about neonatal care challenges, such as balancing risks associated with viral illnesses and hospital ward conditions.
Claire Young
Lib Dem
Thornbury and Yate
Claire Young discussed the impact of overstretched maternity services in Gloucestershire on her constituents who access health services north of the border. She highlighted a personal experience where she had to give birth in an overwhelmed hospital, leading to significant trauma for both her and her newborn son. Ms. Young is deeply concerned about the shortage of midwives affecting Stroud maternity unit and causing extra pressure on Southmead Hospital. She emphasized the importance of continuous support by midwives during labour and proper care post-birth to ensure the well-being of mothers, babies, and their families.
Clive Jones
Lib Dem
Wokingham
Commemorates his local hospital's upgraded rating from the Care Quality Commission and notes that it is one of only nine organisations out of 131 to receive an upgrade over the last year.
Danny Chambers
Lib Dem
Winchester
Acknowledges the hard work of NHS staff, especially midwives, and highlights the unsustainable nature of overwork and unpaid hours as contributors to stress among staff. He highlighted the lack of listening to women's concerns in maternity care, pointing out that suicide is now the leading cause of death for new mothers. He also discussed the NHS's £21 billion maternity negligence care bill and raised local concerns about downgrading consultant-led services in Winchester. Chambers acknowledged the efforts made by staff at Hampshire hospitals NHS foundation trust but noted ongoing challenges.
Helen Morgan
Lib Dem
North Shropshire
The MP highlighted the under-investment in maternity services, citing a Care Quality Commission report indicating that 40% of maternity units require improvement and 18% are inadequate. She emphasized unsafe staffing levels as a major issue causing burnout among midwives. The need for independent whistleblowing procedures was also stressed, along with addressing unsuitable hospital buildings and the disparity in outcomes for Black and Asian women compared to white women.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Commends the hon. Gentleman for securing the debate and notes that difficulties in Gloucestershire are replicated across the UK, particularly due to understaffing, budgetary constraints, and lack of senior support. Calls for a fundamental change.
Simon Opher
Lab
Stroud
Mr. Opher highlighted the importance of midwives in maternity care and expressed concern over the lack of post-natal beds at Stroud Maternity Unit, which has resulted in lower usage despite its low intervention rates and high maternal satisfaction levels. He also questioned CQC regulations that prioritise organisational safety over maternal safety by closing post-natal beds.
Government Response
Karin Smyth
Government Response
Launched an extension to the baby loss certificate service. Addressed concerns about maternity services in Gloucestershire, noting high midwifery vacancy rates and issues with staffing levels. Outlined steps being taken by the trust to improve the situation, including recruitment efforts and apprenticeship schemes. Emphasised ongoing work to improve maternity and neonatal services across England, focusing on workforce training and supporting trusts failing on maternity care.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.