UNISON is warning that the number of deaths on maternity units will rise if
the Government pushes ahead with plans laid out in the Health and Social
Care Bill.
The caution comes after a leaked NHS report revealed the number of
maternity units in crisis. In London alone there were 42 maternal deaths in
units between January 2009 and June 2010 – double the number expected.
Findings from a Freedom of Information Act survey, carried out by BBC1
Panorama, show that maternity units across the UK were forced to close
temporarily to new admissions 1,055 times last year, due to under-staffing,
or lack of beds. This meant that 927 women were turned away from units.
UNISON head of health, Christina McAnea, said:
These findings reveal the real danger posed to mothers and their babies if the
Government pushes ahead with its plans for the NHS.
Maternity staff are struggling to cope with the number of existing mothers,
while posts lie vacant and the number of births continue to rise. This means
that desperate mothers are being turned away due to a lack of beds.
All expectant mums have a right to deliver their baby in their place of choice.
Frustrated midwives are unable to give mothers the choice and carry out the
service and follow-ups that mothers need because there are not enough staff.
The Government has gone back on their original plans to commission
maternity services nationally. Plans being pushed through in the Health and
Social Care Bill can only escalate these problems, as patients become little
more than consumers in a market-driven service, with profits being put first
and further service and job cuts.
We need urgent action from the Government to stop this crisis, before further
lives are put at risk.