Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Accepted
Maternity workforce shortages remain a significant barrier to safe care provision.
Conclusion
Workforce shortages remain a major barrier to safe maternity care, despite recent recruitment progress. We are disappointed the Government suspended its continuity of carer target, which is especially important for marginalised women, including Black women, who face greater challenges in being heard by the healthcare system. (Conclusion, Paragraph 62)
Government Response Summary
The government reiterated that maternity services are an ICB priority and that funding remains consistent despite the ring-fence removal. It stated it will monitor ICB investment and is exploring how various health system parts can collaborate to address pre-pregnancy risk factors, listing several existing local and national initiatives.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Maternity services must continue to be a core priority for ICBs, which is why improving outcomes (including safety) in maternity and neonatal services remains a core priority as set out in the Medium Term Planning Framework. The government will continue to monitor ICB investment in these services. While the ring-fence for maternity funding has been removed, the same level of funding is still being provided as part of wider ICB allocations. You can read more about this in the previous government response to recommendation 9 above. NHS England sets national priorities for ICBs to improve access to timely care for patients, while increasing productivity, living within allocated budgets and driving reform. We are aware that many health behaviours and risk factors for poor maternity and birth outcomes are established prior to pregnancy - notably smoking and obesity. We will be looking closely at how other parts of the health system and government can be brought together to tackle these issues. Equity and equality action plans detail local interventions, for example: • targeted weight management sessions • stop smoking services • enhanced pre-conception health support • equitable access to transport • tailored maternal needs for pregnant asylum seekers and refugees The National smoke-free pregnancy incentive scheme is supporting pregnant smokers by offering financial incentives for those who quit and remain smoke-free throughout their pregnancy and 3 months after birth. There is also considerable opportunity to improve the efficiency of maternity services, with a strong role for technology in supporting this. E03483328 ISBN 978-1-5286-6070-9