NHS finance problems ‘lead to antenatal cuts’

Pregnant women are being disadvantaged by the financial problems experienced by the NHS, according to two leading industry groups.

The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) charity and trade union the Royal College of Midwives expressed their concern that reduced antenatal services would deprive women of crucial advice and support, the BBC reported.

According to the NCT, antenatal services have already been cut in 19 areas across England and Wales, with the poor financial state of the NHS blamed for these measures.

A spokesperson for the charity said it is concerned that “short-term measures to ease financial deficits are having a negative effect” on new and expecting parents, preventing them from getting sufficient support and information.

The Royal College of Midwives’ Mervi Jokinen told the BBC: “With maternity services, they have looked at what they can leave out. We understand that a concerning amount of antenatal classes are being cut.”

However, a representative from the Department of Health insisted that a new maternity strategy will soon be published and that it will outline services that provide “real choice and support for women in all settings, from antenatal care through to the early child years”.