The NHS Alliance response to PM's intervention on maternity services

Responding to comments on maternity concerns by Andy Burnham during Prime Minister's Questions, the director of the NHS Alliance's acute and ambulance network, Matthew Hopkins, said:

 

"It’s good that the prime minister has committed to addressing the challenges facing maternity services, reinforcing the focus on these concerns outlined by the new secretary of state.

"Local health leaders are particularly worried about maintaining safe standards in smaller units, often in the face of workforce pressures and increasing intervention in childbirth.

"We want to work closely with the government and national NHS leaders to develop solutions because there will be other cases like Barnstaple where births have had to be suspended.

"That will inevitably mean difficult but necessary decisions on changes to improve safety."