There is still a severe shortage of midwives and this is affecting women who are pregnant. Home births are not possible as the staff are redeployed to the midwifery led unit which may or may not be open at the time of your labour. The only certain for women is that they will be able to have their baby on a labour ward and some mothers have even been transferred to another hospital during labour due to staff shortages. They need to rectify this problem quickly, otherwise there will be more infant deaths and complications for women.
Please see bulletin (48). We continue to ask those responsible for maternity and perinatal services to collaborate with us.
Analysis by Mark Norman, health correspondent, BBC South East
”When you speak to the families of those affected by the issues at East Kent Hospitals maternity department they use the word “denial”. Many believe the trust has still to fully understand and address the concerns parents have raised for many years. Today’s report reinforces that belief for them”.