Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many mothers were transferred from maternity units to alternative units due to (a) lack of capacity and (b) staffing shortages in each of the last three years nationally.

We do not hold this data centrally. National Health Service commissioning bodies such as integrated care boards are responsible for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for local services. This makes sure that decisions are made locally and tailored to local population needs.

NHS England has undertaken urgent and targeted retention work to address midwifery shortages. NHS England has also invested in unit-based retention leads who focus on staff retention and provide pastoral support to midwives.