Recruitment of 4,000 extra midwives by 2012 planned
25/02/2008(16:50)
A recruitment drive of midwives will see around 4,000 extra being appointed by 2012, to fill the current gaps in services.
The Health Secretary Alan Johnson added that there were plans to offer former midwives £3,000 to return to work.
Included in the funding is training, childcare and travel costs and a cash sum of £1,500.
A Health Commission report in January showed the sector had a large variation of services and raised concerns about staffing levels.
One in four women reported being left alone during labour or shortly after giving birth, with over 40 per cent saying they were not given the option of giving birth at home.
Mr Johnson said: "Many of these extra midwives will be new to the profession, but there are also former midwives whose expertise could be brought back to the NHS given the right support."
The Royal College of Midwives has estimated that 5,000 extra full-time midwives are needed in England to plug the hole in the services.
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