Campaign for More Midwives Succeeds

7.56.00pm GMT Sun 10th Feb 2008

Liberal Democrat campaigner Jill Hope is celebrating the success of the campaign she has been leading for an increase in the number of midwives at Milton Keynes hospital. Eighteen new midwives are being recruited immediately.

Jill Hope said: "I am relieved that the problems caused by too few midwives have been acknowledged, and action has been taken. I congratulate Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust on listening and acting so quickly. I was saddened and horrified by some of the stories I was told by people who had used the maternity services at Milton Keynes hospital. No-one blamed the midwives, who do a fantastic job, but no midwife should be expected to deal with several women in labour at the same time. More midwives will mean that all women in Milton Keynes can have the birth that they want, and more help with breastfeeding, which is so important for all babies and their mothers."