A cheery blog!
December 07, 2011
Posted by:Caroline Klage
The birth rate in Britain over the last 20 years has risen by 22 per cent, yet shortfalls in funding are affecting the quality of services on offer in maternity units across the land. Maternity staff are overstretched which means that not only is it extremely difficult for midwives to deliver quality of care, but they are also hard pushed to provide support and supervision to newly qualified and student midwives who are increasingly being asked to cope with scenarios which are beyond the scope of their experience and training. The situation is compounded by a trend in favour of Caesaerian sections over natural births. I fear a crisis is on the cards. I have great sympathy for the midwives, most of whom are incredibly dedicated and hard-working individuals but who have been placed in an impossible situation.