The state of maternity care (From Haringey Independent)

The state of maternity care

9:21am Thursday 26th July 2007

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So Monday night offered another programme exposing the harsh reality of maternity care across England.

This time it was the job of Channel 4's Dispatches which sent reporter Tazeen Ahmad undercover at The Whittington Hospital to film the situation surrounding the birth of her second son.

Only two months ago BBC's Panorama programme produced a similar offering which did the maternity wards at Barnet General Hospital and St Mary's Hospital in Manchester no favours.

Monday night's programme was less shocking and more sad. Unfortunately it seems these reporters could have picked nearly any maternity unit in this country and would have found themselves in a similar situation.

And it always seems to go back to a lack of resources, be it staff or money, being pumped into these services.

The Dispatches programme might not have shown us anything we didn't already know, but it cemented the fact that this is unacceptable.

Women are bound to feel nervous and apprehensive when they visit the maternity wards and they need reassurance and care at all times during this life changing experience. Sub-standard care cannot be an option.

Read the full story here