The Trust that I work in has recently been subject to a review of maternity services - basically the trust covers a wide geographical area, and consist of two consultant led units of 1600-1700ish births per year each, plus a standalone midwife led unit with 300-350 births per year. The decision has been to retain the MLU 'as is' (due to a very strong local supporting committee the future of this unit was never brought into question), to retain one of the two units as a consultant led unit, and to 'downgrade' the other unit to become a MLU - although it will still be situated within the general hospital. There is much local unrest, and much local publicity and consternation about the 'downgrading'

I don't feel that the correct decision has been made - I feel that people will die. This is not because I feel that midwife led care is in any way dangerous, but because the geographical area served is wide, and there are many complex needs among the local population. Many women who have clinical need for consultant led care will have difficulty accessing this for social and financial reasons if they live at the 'wrong end' of the area.

But what is really riling me at the moment is the widespread use of the word 'downgrade'. Surely for low risk women, increasing the access to midwife led care can only be a positive thing? Is the definition of the role of a midwife not to be the expert in normal pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care? Surely the ethos of this soon to be midwife led unit should be one of positiveness, of opportunity to provide something really special and to make birth normal for those women who fall within its remit - rather than the doom and gloom forecast from both the staff and the local media who are giving local women the impression that they are to be given something lesser and dangerous.

__________________
Love Dory xxx
Just keep swimmin', just keep swimmin'....

Have you just been offered a place? If so and you want a mentor please post in post this forum (also post here if you would like a mentee)