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NCT Statement on Conservatives ‘Dignity & Safety’ proposals

Released on 30/09/2008

NCT Statement on Conservatives ‘Dignity & Safety’ proposals

 The Conservatives have announced a plan for major improvements in hospital care, by giving every NHS patient access to a single room if they need it or want it, including: a guarantee that all mothers giving birth in NHS hospitals who want a single room will have one.

Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive, NCT said;   

“Most labouring women will be in a birth room on their own – gone are the days that women in advanced labour and birth shared a room.   

Research for the NCT’s Better Birth Environment campaign has shown that individual birth rooms should be designed to meet women’s needs – they should be clean, homely and offer space to move with facilities such as a birth pool and ensuite toilet.  

However, according to the Healthcare Commission's review of maternity services in England in 2007, many maternity units do not have the level and quality of facilities that women would like in labour. For example, only 16% of units have one bath per delivery room, only 38% of units have one shower per delivery room and less than half of women (49%) reported that the toilets and bathrooms were ‘very clean’. 

What is missing from this proposal, and is vital, is that every woman is guaranteed a midwife she knows and trusts to be with her throughout her labour and birth, not leaving her side for other duties or to care for other women.  

In the Healthcare Commission's review, 25% of women reported being left alone during their labour at a time that worried them and only 20% of women received care from a single midwife during labour.   

After the birth of a baby, some women will choose to be in a room by themselves and some will want the new father to be able to stay in the room with them. Other women, however, will welcome the chance to be with others, with new babies, to share experiences and chat. 

Any changes to maternity services should be made in consultation with women themselves.”

ENDS

 For further press information contact the NCT press office on 020 8752 2404 (out of hours 07722 839 428) or email: press@nct.org.uk

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Notes to Editors 

The NCT is the UK’s leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Every year the charity supports thousands of parents through an incredible life-changing experience, offering relevant information and mutual support through our network of over 300 local branches, UK wide helplines, antenatal and early days courses, breastfeeding counselling and peer support schemes. 

Operating for over 50 years, the NCT is recognised as the voice of pregnant women and new parents throughout the UK. The charity works continuously for improvements to maternity care and better services and facilities for new parents. We are viewed by many as independent experts in matters relating to pregnancy, birth and early parenthood and are an influential and trusted advisor to UK governments, royal colleges, private sector bodies and other charities.