1 in 5 student midwives forced to abandon studies while hospital maternity wards go understaffed - Burstow

12.00.00am GMT Tue 21st Feb 2006

Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Burstow has added his support to a Parliamentary motion, seeking to reverse the worrying trend of student midwives abandoning their training before completion.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has applauded Paul Burstow's for student midwives.

The Government has committed to work to ensure that by 2009, all women will be under the care of the same midwife throughout their pregnancy and that the birth of their child is done where and in the manner in which they choose. To do so, at least 10,000 more midwives will be needed.

But a survey completed by the Royal College of Midwives found that nearly three-quarters of maternity unites in the UK were experiencing vacancies with more than half of these vacancies having been unfilled for at least 3 months.

Louise Silverton, Deputy General Secretary of the RCM, said: "We're extremely pleased that Paul Burstow MP, together with more than 140 other MPs from across the political spectrum, is supporting student midwives."

Despite the need for more midwives, "One in five student midwives abandon their studies. Many cite financial hardship as the main reason for dropping out."

"We need to give student midwives the greatest possible chance of completing their studies. This is precisely why the RCM is campaigning for an annual non-means-tested bursary of £10,000 for every student midwife."

"With so many MPs supporting this motion we hope we will soon see the Government delivering a better deal for student midwives. This investment in our maternity services will in turn deliver a better deal for mothers, babies, and their families."

Commenting Paul Burstow MP stated:

"Ensuring adequate healthcare for all individuals is of utmost importance, and can only be secured if there are a sufficient number of trained individuals to provide the necessary care."

"Every woman is entitled to proper prenatal care and is reliant on trained midwives. As such the government must ensure that these midwives receive the training necessary despite personal financial difficulties."

ENDS