Number of midwives trained in England set to drop worrying new research finds

The number of midwives trained in England is going to drop, leaving maternity units even more stretched.

In a pre-election article published in a national newspaper last year, David Cameron promised to increase the number of midwives by 3,000.

But research by Nursing Standard released today, finds that the number of midwives being trained in England is likely to be cut by 3.6 per cent.
 
The findings show that in England, only two strategic health authorities (SHAs) are planning to fund more places.

A further two SHAs are planning no change and a staggering six are reducing the number of midwifery student places in 2011/2012.

In Northern Ireland, an additional 30 midwives will be trained, but Scotland will be cutting midwifery places from 184 to just 100 in the 2011/12 academic year.

Describing the cut as ‘extremely worring’,  General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives Cathy Warwick believes that rather than cutting places, an additional 4,700 more midwives are needed to provide a ‘safe and high quality service for women.’

She said: “The fact that the Department of Health says that that midwifery numbers are at record levels fails to address some key issues. Firstly, they are at record levels because of the policies and investment by the previous Government. Secondly, they obscure the fact that midwife numbers were climbing from a very low base and, despite this increase they have trailed a long way behind birth rates. There is also increasing pressure on services because births are becoming more complex, demanding more of midwives’ time.

“Now we have a situation where the numbers of midwives coming in will be falling, along with a big retirement bulge among midwives on the way in the next five to ten years. I will be seeking to discuss this issue with the Government as a matter of urgency.”