Dismay at hospital adverts for ‘normal birth’ champions
NHS trusts are still promoting a culture of “normal births” just days after a maternity review heavily criticised the practice.
Campaigners have described as “totally shocking” formal job advertisements from a number of trusts for new midwife positions which demanded the candidates show a “commitment” to normal (vaginal) births and be a “champion of normality”.
Yesterday NHS bosses appeared to reprimand the hospitals concerned, saying women should be properly informed to make their own decisions about how to give birth.
It comes after the governmentordered Ockenden review into failings at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Britain’s worst maternity scandal, found mothers were made to have natural births even when they should have been offered a caesarean, with the trust pushing a culture of “natural births”. More than 200 babies and nine mothers would have survived were it not for a litany of wider failings at the trust, the report found.
Despite health bosses promising lessons would be learnt, at least five trusts appeared last night to still be embracing a philosophy of “normal” birth.
James Titcombe, a patient safety advocate whose son Joshua died after eight days as part of the earlier Morecambe Bay scandal, said: “I find it disgusting that this is still going on. I’m hoping there will be some rapid leadership action in response.”
A job advertisement at Torbay and South Devon, which has now been removed, stated: “We are proud of our commitment to normal birth.”
Meanwhile an advertisement at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said: “Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate their commitment and dedication to women-centred care, promoting the normal birth pathway and reducing interventions.”
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust asked: “Are you a champion of normality?” It continued: “We are looking for an enthusiastic team member to help us promote normality?”
Mr Titcombe said he feared some maternity units are resistant to change. “I don’t believe it is a majority, but there is a significant and very powerful evangelical or radical group within midwifery that are ideologically committed to so-called natural birth.”
An NHS spokesman said: “We have been made aware of concerns regarding job adverts and we will be contacting the relevant trusts to remind them of the importance of ensuring language is consistent with our aim that all women have the necessary information and support to make informed decisions.”