DoH: Extra funds to improve care
Friday, 25 Jan 2008 09:44
Extra funding of £122 million a year has been allocated to England's maternity services, the health secretary has announced.
Alan Johnson said the money will ensure mothers get the best possible care and are guaranteed a full range of birthing choices.
The announcement follows a report by the Healthcare Commission which deemed one in five maternity wards to be 'performing least well'.
London wards drew the most concern, where problems are likely to be due to low staffing levels, the commission said.
Concerns were raised about the number of trusts not meeting national guidelines on antenatal mental health checks; thorough foetal anomaly scans; and readmission rates.
An apparent increase in caesarean sections raised fears as the review suggests some trusts are not focusing on interventions to promote vaginal birth.
And not all trusts were able to meet guidelines on the ratio of midwives to pregnant women.
Mr Johnson said the new money will help to address problems through the 'maternity matters' strategy.
It is expected that the funds will help increase workforce capacity within maternity and neonatal services.
"I want to see the NHS delivering a gold standard of maternity services for women in every part of the country," he said.
"This extra investment will help the health service to make the necessary improvements, particularly in London. England is already one of the safest places in the world to give birth but every mother must feel they are properly supported, listened to and cared for."
