Production line maternity wards give rise to infections (From Times Series)

Production line maternity wards give rise to infections

7:05am Wednesday 25th October 2006 in

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THE rapid turnover in London's maternity units could be putting mothers and babies at risk of infection.

That's according to a report by the Evening Standard which highlights the "conveyor belt" service being offered in London's hospitals.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show that in one sixth of hospitals more than one woman gives birth in the same bed each day.

The worst culprits are Barts and the London, Homerton, King George, Kingston, Queen Elizabeth and St Mary's.

Critics say the swift exchange of mothers and babies could be increasing the risk of infection as well as denying women the support they need after birth.

Ten women have died after giving birth at a maternity unit in Northwick Park hospital in north London where health chiefs admit the conditions were "poor" before special measures were imposed.

More midwives needed

The report highlights a shortage of midwives across the UK, particularly acute in London where on average midwives are having to deliver 44 babies a year.

Louise Silverton, deputy general secretary of the Royal College of midwives told the Evening Standard: "We have estimated 10,000 more midwives are needed to promote the quality of care women should expect.

"The Government assures us it is committed to real choice for women about where and how they give birth.

"Sadly these figures indicate choice is not present in London and home birth is still a pipe dream for many."

An NHS London spokesman stressed, however, that maternity departments in the capital were all part of a network in which women can easily be found beds in neighbouring hospitals where necessary.

He said services in London were under review and plans to change the location and size of units were expected to be drawn up by next summer.

Premature babies

The report comes just days after it emerged that one of London's leading hospitals was forced to turn away more than 500 premature babies last year because of a lack of resources.

St George's in Tooting, south-west London, had to close its doors to premature babies 71 times in the last six months alone, turning away hundreds of vulnerable new-borns.

The hospital has five cots standing empty because it cannot afford enough nurses, and mothers and sick infants are being forced to travel long distances to find alternative beds.

St George's Hospital NHS Trust said baby units across the country were struggling to keep a growing number of premature infants alive, describing it as "a national problem".

Mary Wells, head of the North West London NHS Hospitals Trust, responsible for Northwick Park Hospital, said: "Conditions before were poor and we had insufficient provision for women."