UK Wedding News
08/11/2013
However, it added that there are also "significant" and "unexplained variations" in performance within the UK.
The report looked at the changes in maternity care since the implementation of the Department of Health's 'Maternity Matters' strategy in 2007.
It acknowledged that there have been improvements in the services since since 2007, but there is still room for development.
It also stated that maternity services are under significant demands and financial pressures, with the current birth rate being at a 40-year high. In addition, the cost of medical litigation is also continuing to increase, with trusts paying £482m for maternity clinical negligence cover in 2012-13 alone. When broken down, this is around a fifth of spending on maternity services.
Improvements were also recognised in the report, with an increase in consultant cover, while more midwives are being placed on labour wards; but it emphasised that optimal levels of staff – for better and safer maternity services – are still not being met.
In response to the report, Dr David Richmond, President at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), said: "The NAO report places a great amount of transparency on the current state of maternity services across England, raising valid concerns where care quality requires improvement.
"Although the UK is generally a safe place for women to give birth, we have known for some time that pressure on maternity services is growing in some areas particularly inner city conurbations placing stress on clinicians, managers and patients alike. More consultants are needed to deal with not only the rapidly increasing birth rate but the rise in complex pregnancies, with older mothers, maternal obesity and multiple pregnancies at the fore.
"We still need significantly more consultants if we are to provide the care we recommend. None of the largest units in England achieve the target of 24 hour presence 7 days a week.
"In addition we need a substantial increase in midwifery numbers to again match recommendations. Continuity of care suffers at such a crucial time in maternity care and the team work which is an essential component is placed at risk."
(JP/CD)
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Report Unveils England's Maternity Services
A report from the National Audit Office has said NHS maternity services provide "good outcomes and positive experiences for most women".However, it added that there are also "significant" and "unexplained variations" in performance within the UK.
The report looked at the changes in maternity care since the implementation of the Department of Health's 'Maternity Matters' strategy in 2007.
It acknowledged that there have been improvements in the services since since 2007, but there is still room for development.
It also stated that maternity services are under significant demands and financial pressures, with the current birth rate being at a 40-year high. In addition, the cost of medical litigation is also continuing to increase, with trusts paying £482m for maternity clinical negligence cover in 2012-13 alone. When broken down, this is around a fifth of spending on maternity services.
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Improvements were also recognised in the report, with an increase in consultant cover, while more midwives are being placed on labour wards; but it emphasised that optimal levels of staff – for better and safer maternity services – are still not being met.
In response to the report, Dr David Richmond, President at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), said: "The NAO report places a great amount of transparency on the current state of maternity services across England, raising valid concerns where care quality requires improvement.
"Although the UK is generally a safe place for women to give birth, we have known for some time that pressure on maternity services is growing in some areas particularly inner city conurbations placing stress on clinicians, managers and patients alike. More consultants are needed to deal with not only the rapidly increasing birth rate but the rise in complex pregnancies, with older mothers, maternal obesity and multiple pregnancies at the fore.
"We still need significantly more consultants if we are to provide the care we recommend. None of the largest units in England achieve the target of 24 hour presence 7 days a week.
"In addition we need a substantial increase in midwifery numbers to again match recommendations. Continuity of care suffers at such a crucial time in maternity care and the team work which is an essential component is placed at risk."
(JP/CD)
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