Training midwives and not hiring them is a 'sad waste'
– CATHY WARWICK, RCM CHIEF EXECUTIVEWhat is so frustrating is that there is a clear need for more midwives. We have record-breaking birth figures and we need all the midwives we can get.
We're training midwives, but we're not recruiting them. That is a sad waste of all their time and effort, and a waste of taxpayers' money too.
Several maternity units have closed this year, including three birth centres in the East Midlands and units in Canterbury and Dover.
– CATHY WARWICK, RCM CHIEF EXECUTIVEThe units that have closed are the tip of the iceberg. A 10th of the heads of midwifery who responded to our recent survey told us that they have a midwife-led unit in their area that is in danger of closure.
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