HUGE GAP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT MATERNITY PROMISES AND REALITY - LAMB

12.01.00am GMT Tue 27th Nov 2007

Commenting on today's Healthcare Commission report on maternity services in the NHS, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said: "This survey shows the huge gap between Government promises and the reality in maternity units across the country."

"Women should not be left alone while vulnerable before and after they give birth. As well as being denied the option of a home birth as the Government promised, some women also have the confusion of having to deal with a series of different midwives throughout their pregnancy."

"There simply aren't enough midwives to deliver on ministers' promises of one-to-one maternity care. We now have a ludicrous situation where the health service is set to underspend by almost £1.8 billion this year, which is more than the decreasing budget for all NHS maternity services in England."

"We must also urgently question why so many trusts are not following NICE guidance on birthing positions and so potentially putting mothers and their babies at risk."

Notes

1. In April 2007, guidance from the Department of Health titled Maternity Matters committed the Government to ensure that by the end of 2009:

· All women will have choice in where and how they have their baby and what pain relief to use, depending on their individual circumstances.

· Every woman will be supported by a midwife she knows and trusts throughout her pregnancy and afterwards.

2. In 2005/06, £1.672bn was spent on NHS maternity services (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070306/text/70306w0034.htm#07030685000109), but in 2006/07, this fell to £1.617bn (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm071112/text/71112w0014.htm#07111234000016)