Statement from the Association of Radical Midwives regarding the closure of One to One Midwifery Services 31st July 2019.
In 2016, the government commissioned “Maternity Matters” report led by Baroness Julia Cumberledge and the resulting “Better Births” document, recommended that continuity of midwife carer throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period be implemented to serve 20% of childbearing women by March 2019; with incremental increases of 20% in each subsequent year up to 80% of women provided with this standard.
The recommendation was the result of years of incontrovertible evidence that outcomes for mothers and babies across a range of health and well being outcomes are significantly improved as a consequence of relationship based consistent care.
Under these circumstances, it is with deep sadness and incomprehension that we hear of the closing of the One to One maternity care services, after the proposed renewal of contract arrangements with local CCGs were found to be untenable. The Association of Radical Midwives demands a statement from NHS England delineating the reasons why one of the few care providers in the country implementing the recommendations of an NHS commissioned report is not to be funded. The clinical outcomes of One to One are outstanding when compared to overall NHS maternity service figures. Why have childbearing women and their families been let down in this way and excellent teams of midwives deprived of their employment?
Katherine Hales, ARM National Coordinator, July 31st 2019.
0 Comments