Shortage of midwives shows that quality of care not at heart of NHS

New Neonatal Unit at The Royal Oldham

Commenting on the King’s Fund report, ‘Patient Centred Leadership – Rediscovering our purpose’ published today (Thursday, 23 May), Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “Every day I hear from midwives whose only concern is the quality of care that they can deliver to women, and the struggles they face to deliver the highest quality care.

“However, I fear that quality is not at the top of everyone’s agenda because If it was all maternity services would be adequately resourced and staffed. Whilst some maternity services have the recommended levels of staffing, too often the focus of leaders is on short term balancing of the books and not good care for pregnant women, a safe birth and a secure future for their babies.

“When I see the chronic shortage of midwives in England disappear, then I will believe that the NHS has quality of care at its heart. In the long run quality care is also cost effective care.

“The report also touches on the crucial issue of leadership. We need our midwifery leaders in the NHS to feel safe to speak out and to feel able to argue strongly at the top tables for the resources they need. We also need all midwives to be leaders and to challenge and raise concerns if they feel they are not able to deliver the best possible care.”