NHS bosses say smaller maternity units may have to close

NHS bosses in England say the way maternity care is organized is "not fit for purpose" with safety at risk, and warn up to 20 smaller units may have to close.

The NHS Alliance, which represents health managers, says difficult decisions lie ahead and maternity services need to be consolidated to support safer care.

It said a government taskforce into neonatal and maternity care must tackle key issues such as a lack of specialist staff and a rise in C-sections.

The NHS Alliance said there are particular pressures on smaller units in rural and coastal areas and that those delivering 1,500 to 2,000 babies each year might need to close.

The organization said up to 20 out of 155 consultant-led maternity units in England face closure. It says staffing problems and rising numbers of C-sections are making smaller units potentially unsafe.

The rise in C-sections was a challenge, according to the NHS Alliance, and there were inadequately operating theaters and beds in outdated and decaying buildings, posing a safety risk.

The NHS leaders' organization also said some smaller units struggled to maintain safe staffing numbers for 24-hour care, including midwives and consultants such as obstetricians.

Source: BBC News Health RSS (Open Press / Translated Full Text)