NHS Confederation: More needs to be done
Friday, 29 Feb 2008 11:07
The NHS Confederation has admitted that "more needs to be done" to ensure the health service is "better able to meet the needs of mothers".
It agreed with the findings of a King's Fund report that said the vast majority of care for women giving birth is safe but warned growing pressures mean trusts must put structures in place to maintain safety.
Nigel Edwards, policy director of the NHS Confederation, which represents over 95 per cent of NHS organisations, commented: "Due to the way that the payment system operates, most hospitals have been running their maternity services at a financial loss.
"The new payment system from April could help correct this long-standing problem and help hospitals provide the improvements they want."
He added: "We know the network model, where different services collaborate with each other, is the most effective way of planning neonatal services.
"The best services make it work effectively through genuine partnership working. All staff groups therefore need to work together to overcome the obstacles that stop teams working effectively."
