NHS staffing issues in the North East of England hinder opportunities for student midwives
Written by Finlay Horsfall on 10th May 2024
Patients in need of maternity services within the North East of England are “at risk”, according to a watchdog, in January 2024.
In a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report at Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital, staff shortages are causing midwives to be overstretched on shift.
They are struggling to give mothers and babies the care they need.
If midwives are struggling to give essential care to the mothers and babies, how are they expected to take on students too?
Midwives in the North East of England are at “breaking point” according to a 2023 survey by the Royal College of Midwives.
Their survey presented a staggering 89.4% of midwives and MSWs in the region said their staffing levels were “unsafe”.
We spoke to Alexis Douthwite, a student midwife, about the staffing issues surrounding the NHS and how her opportunities have been hindered because of this:
