27.06.11
Cuts to midwives’ jobs and hours criticised
Planned cuts to community midwives’ hours in Plymouth are being challenged by the Royal College of Midwives union (RCM).
The proposals would mean that 63 midwives’ hours are reduced by four hours per week, alongside some job cuts, and a reduction from six to four community teams, with each covering a bigger area.
Pat Darvill, the RCM’s regional officer for the South West, said: “The jobs that could go and the midwives in the community are key frontline posts and reducing hours is ultimately the same as scrapping jobs. We are not against change and efficiencies, but they have to improve the service women receive. These proposed changes will not do that and I have real fears that the level and quality of the service for women will worsen. It will mean less choice for women because fewer midwives will have to do the same amount of work.
“The area’s birthrate was going up and births are becoming more complex, yet the Trust cut midwifery posts. There is a well-used homebirth service provided by the community midwives and there will be many women out there expecting a homebirth service. These plans mean they may simply not get one along with the other key services that the midwives provide.
“We will work with the Trust to make efficiencies and utilise the staff in the right way. However, this way is not the right way and we will be challenging these plans and working with our stewards and members to show the Trust the utter folly of their proposals. It is a short-sighted and backward step.”
But Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust’s chief nurse Professor Sarah Watson-Fisher said senior midwives and other clinicians have ensured the plans are safe and cost-effective.
She said: “Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust has just begun consultation with our staff and their union representatives on reducing the number of posts in our organisation by 281 whole time equivalents. We want to be very clear that we do not intend to lose 281 people. There are currently 250 vacancies within the organisation ready to redeploy people into. Compulsory redundancy is the absolute last result.
“Our priority is to provide safe and effective care to our patients, including mums, their babies and mums-to-be.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]