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Birth Centers Vanish: Women's Choice Denied
7 Nov
Summary
- Twelve midwife-led birth centers have closed in England since 2019.
- Six units have permanently shut since July 2024.
- Women face restricted choices and longer travel for maternity care.
Since 2019, a total of twelve midwife-led maternity units have been permanently or temporarily closed across England. Six of these closures have occurred since July 2024. Four additional units have been shut for extended periods, raising fears they may never reopen.
These closures are happening amidst broader restrictions on women's ability to choose birth locations, including the suspension of home birth services. Factors contributing to this crisis include a widespread shortage of midwives, declining birth rates, and the growing complexity of childbirth.
Campaigners highlight that these closures deny women their right to choose and force them to undertake longer journeys to give birth. Organizations like Birthrights emphasize that access to midwife-led care is not a luxury but a fundamental right. The Royal College of Midwives warns of potential risks, such as women seeking private care or opting for unassisted home births.
Specific permanent closures since July 2024 include units in Rossendale, Edgware, Melton Mowbray, Stafford, Lichfield, and Pontefract. The Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS trust reported the Huddersfield birth centre closure in November 2020 due to the pandemic, with no reopening timeline set. Similarly, the Ingleside birth centre in Salford has been closed since January 2022.
While some units were temporarily closed due to staff shortages, such as in Crowborough, concerns remain about permanent closures being disguised as temporary to bypass public consultation. Conversely, the Cheltenham birth centre is slated to reopen in February, with home births resuming in January.
Further challenges loom, as up to 20 consultant-led maternity units may face closure. NHS bosses in Norfolk have also proposed centralizing maternity care, potentially impacting units in King's Lynn and Great Yarmouth. The North Devon district hospital's maternity unit has been closed for months due to staff shortages.
In response, the health secretary is preparing an action plan to address the crisis. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the need for safe maternity care and is focused on strengthening the midwifery workforce, reporting an increase of over 600 midwives in the past year.
