New strategy to improve maternity care

1 August, 2000

Midwives and obstetric consultants will have a new focus in their roles following the approval of proposals to improve maternity services in west Suffolk.

The changes will introduce 'midwifery-led' care for expectant mothers who are having a normal pregnancy, while hospital consultants are freed up to concentrate on 'medium and high risk' cases.

The plans in the 'Maternity Services Strategy 2000 - 2003' went before the West Suffolk Borders Primary Care Group on Tuesday 1 August.

The changes are the result of extensive discussions among midwives, doctors, and groups such as the National Childbirth Trust and are being put forward with their support.

Dr Andrew Cornish, chairman of the West Suffolk Borders PCG said, "The plans will improve the quality of maternity services and bring the area into line with the recommendations of the Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. If approved it is hoped to start making the changes in: November."

Dr Comish added that the shift to midwifery-led care for 'low risk' women would bring the west Suffolk and Cambridge systems into line.

By placing the care of 'low' risk women in the hands of midwives and GPs, consultants based at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds will be able to spend 40 hours a week in the labour ward as recommended in the Royal Colleges' report 'Towards Safer Childbirth - Minimum standards for the organisation of labour wards'.

The weekly consultant-led antenatal clinic at Newmarket Hospital will continue as will the weekly 'dating scan' clinic at Thetford Hospital. All other consultant obstetric antenatal clinics will be held at the West Suffolk Hospital.

"These changes will mean a comprehensive maternity service for all women in west Suffolk and surrounding areas," said Jean Baird, midwifery manager at the West Suffolk Hospital. "Women will be cared for by the most appropriate clinician - for the most part midwives and GPs - while consultants will be there for those who need special care and attention."

The strategy covers all stages of pregnancy, child birth and after care for women and their babies including health promotion and parent education.