Tuesday, 20 May 2008
Midwives welcome minister’s intervention in Gwent Trust maternity services
Responding to the announcement today by Health Minister Edwina Hart, that Gwent NHS Trust maternity services are to be put under special measures, Helen Rogers, Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Director for Wales, said: “We welcome the minister’s actions to put Gwent Trust’s maternity services on special measures. It is indicative of the depth of the problems there that such action is needed.
“We recognise the very difficult conditions that the midwives at the Trust have been working under, trying to deliver a good and safe service. The RCM applauds the minister for listening to our concerns and taking such a positive step to rectify the situation.
“We want to see the maternity service at the Trust turned around, the midwife shortages addressed and a real and sustained improvement in the quality of care and range of services for women and their babies.
“I hope an improved and higher quality maternity service will be the result of this intervention, for the sake of the midwives at the Trust and the women they care for.”
For more information contact the RCM Press Office on 020 7312 3433/3432
Notes to editors
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) aims to promote and advance the profession of the midwife. The RCM represents over 95% of the UK's midwives and is one of the world's oldest and one of the largest midwifery organisations, and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2006. It is also a trade union. For more information visit the RCM website at www.rcm.org.uk.
