Care fears over heavy workload for midwives
Pregnant women could be at risk of substandard care because maternity services in the Black Country are "very stretched", experts have said.
Pregnant women could be at risk of substandard care because maternity services in the Black Country are "very stretched", experts have said.
The Royal College of Midwives has said it is concerned about the level of service offered to mothers after it emerged the workload on midwives at some hospitals was above the recommended level.
Experts say this could leave midwives working under increased pressure and unable to provide the best care. The RCM?says hospitals should have a ratio of 28 births to each midwife.
But at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital and at Walsall Manor Hospital the rate is more than 40 births per midwife. At Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital the ratio is 33 to one.
The problem has been worsened by hundreds more mothers choosing to have their babies in the Black Country following the scandal at Stafford Hospital and the closure of the maternity unit at Sandwell Hospital.
Both Stafford Hospital and the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust are meeting the recommended ratio.
