Midwives shortage

Maternity units across Britain are struggling to cope with an increased birthrate, while the birthrate has increased by 19 per cent the number of midwives has gone up by just 12 per cent - 3,500 short of the number needed.

Now the Prime Minister David Cameron has reneged on a pledge to employ 3,000 more midwives to relieve staff last year

NHS watchdog, The Care Quality Commission, found that almost a quarter of mothers were left alone during labour - leaving them frightened.

UNISON Midwifery Rep, Nora Pearce at Kingston Hospital ssaid, "In Many hospitals, Midwives are working on shifts short of staff, we urgently need more midwives to be employed across the NHS"

"The Government needs to stop penalising midwives by imposing a two year pay freeze and guarantee every student midwife a job"