David Burrowes MP

Conservative Party | Enfield Southgate

Maternity Services

David Burrowes MP has expressed his support for a new report issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists detailing recommendations for the best standards of care during childbirth.

The report calls for one on one care for women in established labour; a demand for a consultant presence on the ward outside the recommended minimum 40 hours; pre-anaesthesis assessment for mothers requiring general anaesthesia; and, the presence of a healthcare professional, fully trained in neo-natal basic life support to be immediately available for births, in any setting.

David Burrowes commented: “These suggestions are particularly pertinent given our current battle to save the maternity services department of Chase Farm Hospital. It is of great concern that existing provisions, which include all women and children services on the same site, are facing fragmentation and mothers in labour can expect to have to travel long distances with very real potential for health complications and discomfort at the very least, and loss of life at the worst.”

David is concerned that the proposals for the downgrade of Chase Farm’s maternity services not only restrict the choice of expectant parents but also fly directly in the face of the Royal College’s carefully researched recommendations. David will be making these points in his submission this week in response to the consultation 'Your health, Your future'.

Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, President of the RCOG, also said “We hope that the clear guidelines presented in Safer Childbirth will be adopted by those caring for women in labour, in all settings, to ensure quality and continuity of care in UK maternity services. This project has been an important collaboration between the Royal Colleges and we hope that our focus on the multi-disciplinary team approach leads to safer childbirth in our hospitals.”

It remains to be seen whether the Government or local NHS managers will acknowledge this need for Chase Farm Hospital.