Tuesday afternoon - midwife speaks out on maternity

The Trust says that makes sense.

Not sao says brave midwife Michelle Rumball, who has just spoken out.

Here are her views, published in full:

Re: comments quoted in March 30 Observer by David Scott, medical director for East Sussex hospitals NHS trust.

1) " One larger maternity unit at either the Conquest or Eastbourne DGH was needed to ensure staff got the right training."

As a midwife I take exception to this comment. Are we not already receiving the "right" training ? And if not, why would transferring to one unit ensure the right training was received ?

2) Also, he says: " There are relatively few births on both sites."

Yes, compared to London hospitals there are relatively few births on both sites. But actually numbers of births are increasing on both sites, and as thousands of new homes are being built in the Southeast - it would therefore be expected that the birthrate would continue to increase.

3) And he is quoted as saying: " We cannot have our consultants sitting around with nothing to do "

I would suggest that if he thinks consultants are sitting around doing nothing that he employs a few more midwives, because those who are employed at present are being made ill by the workload.

In my opinion, it would be a grave mistake to close either unit, and by doing so babies lives are being put at risk. It is solely a cost cutting exercise by those at the top, lets not beat around the bush with all this poppy cock about improving training etc.

Michelle Rumball (midwife)

Please withhold my address due to professional confidentiality,