Maternity Services
(asked on 4th November 2015) - View Source
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS (a) standalone midwife-led units, (b) midwife-led units situated alongside consultant-led units and (c) consultant-led maternity units there are in each region of England; and if he will make a statement.
Information on the number of standalone midwife-led units, midwife-led units situated alongside consultant-led units and consultant-led maternity units in each region of England is set out in the table below:
Standalone midwife-led units | Midwife-led units situated alongside consultant-led units | Consultant-led maternity units | |
North West, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside | 4 | 12 | 20 |
Cumbria, North East of England and Yorkshire and the Humber | 8 | 8 | 24 |
NHS Midlands and East. | 14 | 37 | 44 |
South East Coast and Wessex | 8 | 12 | 16 |
South | 18 | 10 | 18 |
London | 3 | 22 | 25 |
Women can expect a range of choices over place of birth. As set out in the NHS Choice Framework for 2015/16, these choices include giving birth at home with the support of a midwife, in a midwifery facility with the support of a midwife, or in any available hospital with the support of a maternity team. Choices will depend on what is best for the woman and her baby, as well as what is available locally.