By the end of 2009 every pregnant woman in England will be guaranteed a full range of choices about how and where to give birth. That's according to Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt's new vision for maternity services launched just a couple of weeks ago. But already choice is being cut for women in North Derbyshire where a rural midwifery unit is due to close. And it's not the only one under threat of being axed. According to figures compiled by the Conservative Party, 43 of the 282 maternity units in England and Wales are facing closure. So how can the Government extend choice at the same time as maternity units are being forced to close? Ritula discusses these issues with Kate Charlton Reddit, MOMS (Maintain our Maternity Services) coordinator and Melanie Every Regional Manager for Royal College of Midwives. |
