Birth choices may be limited if midwives without Covid jab lose jobs

Women could be denied home births and be unable to give birth at their local hospital as understaffed maternity units face loss of up to 2,000 midwives.

 

Hospital chiefs are warning that mothers-to-be could be denied a home birth or have less choices in the event of an exodus of midwives triggered by compulsory Covid vaccination of NHS staff.

 

There are also concerns that pregnant women could also be unable to have their baby at their local hospital as already understaffed maternity units in England struggle to cope with the loss of up to 2,000 midwives.

 

They added that others may have their baby delivered with the assistance of a doctor rather than a midwife, or be assisted by a midwife who is simultaneously looking after another labouring woman.

 

The Commons health committee has estimated that hospitals in England are currently 2,500 midwives short of the number they need to give every pregnant woman the right standard of care, and NHS bosses have said midwives and nurses are the two groups of frontline staff most likely to resist getting jabbed.

 

Sarah Mullally, former chief nursing officer and Bishop of London, recently told a House of Lords debate that up to 12.5% of all midwives in London may lose their jobs because of their decision not to get vaccinated.

 

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said “Health and social care workers look after the most vulnerable people in society, who could face serious health consequences if exposed to the virus.

 

“Ensuring staff are vaccinated is the right thing to do to protect patients and those in care.  The vast majority of NHS staff have had the vaccine, which is our best defence against Covid-19.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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