06.12.13
Deprived areas have higher numbers of hospital deliveries – HSCIC
There are twice as many hospital deliveries of births in the most deprived areas of England, but the gap between these and the least deprived areas is narrowing, new figures suggest.
The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) has published statistics showing the number of deliveries in the most deprived areas was 95,370 in 2012/13, compared to just 47,710 in the least deprived areas.
There has also been a national fall in teenage deliveries; 8.4% fewer than in 2011/12 and 27.8% fewer than in 2007/08. The highest rate of teen deliveries was in the North East SHA, with the lowest in London SHA.
Overall there was a 0.3% rise in the number of births since 2011/12, with 25.5% delivering via caesarean. The highest rate of C-sections was in mothers aged 40 or above.
Mervi Jokinen, the RCM’s practice and standard advisor, said: “We are concerned by the increase in the caesarean rate, which has increased to 25.5%. That means that one in four women giving birth is having a caesarean, which is a major surgical procedure for mother and baby.
“This data also shows that the age profile of pregnant women is getting older. The increasing age of mothers, means greater demands are being placed on maternity services, as pregnancies for older women can result in an increased need for medical interventions. This demands more of midwives and others in the maternity team adding to the workload placed on already overstretched midwives.
“We welcome that teenage pregnancy rates have gone down but are concerned that rates of teenage pregnancy remain high in most deprived areas. We need more midwives in such areas to provide targeted support for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.”
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