Midwife fears over service changes should be investigated, says Labour
A letter from NHS Lothian midwives outlining serious concerns about the Scottish Government’s plans to radically change midwifery services should prompt an investigation into a lack of equipment and resources, it has been claimed.
Scottish Labour’s health spokesperson Monica Lennon said the concerns must be addressed by health secretary Jeane Freeman. And she called for an additional £10 million to be invested in the £12m Best Start programme to ensure midwives were given adequate time, training and resources to implement the scheme properly.
Ms Lennon said: “The health secretary must listen to the concerns of midwives and take urgent action to address the workforce crisis.”
The Best Start initiative will remove the divide between community and hospital midwives, giving every midwife a case load of 35 pregnant women whom they will see through the ante-natal, labour and post-natal stages to ensure continuity of care.
Ms Freeman said: “The initial budget of £12m is only intended to support the initial phase. The plan will result in mothers and babies being offered a truly family-centred, safe and compassionate approach to their care.”