For immediate release, December 16th 2011
Commenting today (Dec. 16th) on the closure of birth centres at Darley Dale and Corbar in Derbyshire, Jacque Gerrard, RCM’s director for England, said: “We are deeply disappointed as we have met with the commissioners at the NHS Trust, advised them about choices for women and the cost effectiveness of birth centres, as supported by the recent Birthplace study. Midwives are devastated at the loss of their local birth centres as women’s choices for childbirth are reduced and they now have to access maternity services in a doctor-led Obstetric unit, where medical interventions are more likely, rather than a midwife-led unit.”
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For more information contact the RCM Press Office on 020 7312 3456 pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.
Notes to editors
The Royal College of Midwives is the voice of midwifery. We are the UK’s only trade union and professional organisation led by midwives for midwives. The vast majority of the midwifery profession are our members. The RCM promotes midwifery, quality maternity services and professional standards. We support and represent our members individually and collectively in all four UK countries. We influence on behalf of our members and for the interests of the women and families for which they care. For more information visit the RCM website at www.rcm.org.uk.
