Hospitals turned away 750 women in labour last year

Summary
More than 747 women in labour were refused by hosipitals last year due to few staff or beds. Trusts say a cncervative government would stop unit closures and increase the number of midwives and loval services. Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists thinks it is because of the european working time directive which reduced the number of working hours. A Department of Health spokeswoman said that thousands of babies are delivered safely each year and in a recent survey 9 out of the ten women were pleased with the care they received. Capacity for maternity services and number of midwives have increased.

Reaction.
Eventhough the number of midwives and the maternity services have increased, there is obviously wrong. Women in labour, not matter where in the world, should not be turned down by their hospital. If hospitals are aware of the midwives and services shortage, which I am sure they are, they should not take on more pregnant women. That way women in labour do not need to go to their hospital first to find out they have no room and drive 15 miles to the next hospital. By the time they get there the baby would have already popped out. I think that there should be a clinic for pregnant women around the country. Hospitals then do not have space shortage and women can have the care they need.