MATERNITY SERVICES

That this House recognises the excellent work done by the Royal Colleges of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Midwives, Anaesthetists and Paediatrics and Child Health in publishing Safer Childbirth: Minimum Standards for the Organisation and Delivery of Care in Labour, released on 9th October; accepts that in order for safe and high quality services to be provided, policy makers at the Department of Health and National Health Service commissioners and managers need to implement the report's recommendations in key areas such as skills mix and adequate staff numbers and experience and develop appropriate in-house training opportunities for doctors and midwives, and that continued investment in resources and facilities is needed to ensure that labour wards are well run; notes that multidisciplinary team working is a vital component in delivering high standards of care, and is found in labour wards; and calls for maternity services to remain high on the health agenda and for future maternal and infant healthcare initiatives to be patient-focused whilst also remaining committed to improvements in the capability of maternity units so that safe and satisfying services for mother and baby are provided.