Midwife shortage risk for babies

A shortage of midwives in the NHS is putting babies' lives at risk, a study has claimed.

Three-quarters of deliveries where there is a risk of death or injury occur when too few midwives are on duty, it found.

A year-long study of seven labour units found they were at least one midwife short in almost 40% of these cases.

Other examples were seen when there were too few experienced staff on duty, particularly at night.

Figures from the Nursing and Midwifery Council show there are now just over 27,000 qualified midwives in the UK, 8,000 less than there were 10 years ago.

The Royal College of Midwives has said 10,000 more are needed.

Source : BBC News | More Information