Midwife worries over staffing levels at Arrowe Park Hospital after departure of temporary staff

Feb 10 2010 by Liza Williams, Heswall News

“They say the country is crying out for midwives but we are here, and there are no jobs for many.

“On one shift I was looking after nine women and was concerned I was not giving the right level of care as it was.

“It will be worse when we have gone.

“We were not under any illusions, we knew the contacts were temporary and may not be renewed, but the whole system seems wrong.”

Linda Birch, head of midwifery at the hospital, said the department’s staffing levels still meet accepted standards: “Staff employed at the trust on a short-term basis are never guaranteed a permanent position once they reach the end of their contracts.

“It is important to highlight that staffing levels within our maternity unit remain fully compliant with Royal College of Midwifery and Birthrate Plus recommendations, and that the unit was recognised as ‘best staffed’ in the Healthcare Commission’s Maternity Services Review 2007.

“We have been completely open and honest with those newly qualified midwives who are due to complete their existing contracts in March.

“They were employed on a temporary basis to provide them with experience at the end of their training period.”