Johnson: Extra funding for maternity services
Friday, 25 Jan 2008 11:32
The health secretary today announced extra funding to improve maternity services.
Alan Johnson said budgets would increase over three years to reach an additional £122 million a year.
The funding will be used to guarantee women a full range of birthing choices, including home birth and midwifery facilities.
Mr Johnson said: "Bringing a new baby into the world is a life-changing experience for every mother. It is only right that care is designed around the needs of mothers and their partners from the very beginning of pregnancy right through to personal post-natal care.
"I want to see the NHS delivering a gold standard of maternity services for women in every part of the country. This extra investment will help the health service to make the necessary improvements, particularly in London.
"England is already one of the safest places in the world to give birth but every mother must feel they are properly supported, listened to and cared for."
The extra money was announced on the back of a critical report into maternity services by the Healthcare Commission.
Mr Johnson downplayed the findings, saying separate Healthcare Commission research found 89 per cent of mothers thought their care was good or better.
He also pointed out the UK has a lower rate of maternal deaths than the US or France.