New research from Labour reveals that almost half of maternity units close doors to new mothers

New
research published today by the Labour Party shows that nearly half of
England’s maternity units closed to new mothers at some point in 2016.

Data
obtained by Labour under the Freedom of Information Act shows:

·        
42 hospital trusts which responded to an
FOI request say they temporarily closed maternity wards to new admissions at
some point in 2016

·        
Some closures lasted more
than 24 hours, while over ten trusts shut temporarily on more than ten separate
occasions each

·        
In 2016 there were 382
occasions when units had to close their doors, a 70 per cent increase from 2014

·        
Hospitals report capacity
and staffing issues as most common reason for closures

Jonathan
Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Health, said:

“These
findings show the devastating impact which Tory underfunding is having for
mothers and children across the country. It is staggering that almost half of
maternity units in England had to close to new mothers at some point in 2016.
The uncertainty for so many women just when they need the NHS most is
unthinkable. 

“Under
this Government, maternity units are understaffed and under pressure. It’s
shameful that pregnant women are being turned away due to staff shortages, and
shortages of beds and cots in maternity units.

“Families
are being sorely let down by this Government’s failure to recognise the crisis
facing our NHS. The Tories need to get a grip and take urgent action to make
sure closures like this don’t continue to happen.”