Press release: NHS Confederation rejects Conservative mismanagement claims

11 Feb 2005

The reorganisation of maternity services in Scotland is being driven by falling numbers of births, issues of patient safety and good clinical practice said Scottish NHS Confederation Director Hilary Robertson today in response to claims by Conservative health spokesperson Nanette Milne MSP of health service mismanagement.

Ms Robertson said: "The fall in birth rates across the whole of Scotland has a real effect on the ability of clinical staff working in smaller units to maintain the skills needed to ensure safe deliveries for some mothers and babies.  New EU regulations, national shortages of qualified staff in obstetrics and paediatrics and new training requirements for doctors mean that some smaller units cannot sustain the medical cover needed to provide safe and good quality care for the small number of women at risk of complications. 

"The NHS has a duty to use staff and equipment as effectively as possible to provide safe services of a high clinical standard.  NHS boards must therefore seek to balance the wishes of individuals and the needs of communities as a whole with the resources available."

An expert group on acute maternity services, set up in 2002, advocated the establishment of midwife-led community maternity units in areas where some consultant-led units may close, added Ms Robertson.  A large number of such units are already operating very successfully throughout the UK. 

Ms Robertson concluded: "Midwife-led services should not be regarded as inferior; to describe them as having been 'downgraded' is misleading and verges on scaremongering.  Open and honest debate about the future development of NHS services to meet the needs and expectations of Scotland's population is vital.  But such discussion must be realistic and focus on the facts.  It is wrong and unfair to blame change on "mismanagement" when the truth is that factors far beyond the management of an individual service are the trigger for similar changes being seen across the whole of the UK and in many other Western countries. " 

Ends

Notes for editors

The Scottish NHS Confederation is an independent membership body representing the majority of Scotland's NHS boards and special health boards.  We are committed to improving health policy and practice.

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