IM UK Statement on Kings College Hospital's termination of contract with Albany Midwives
IM UK would like to express their deep shock over the decision of King’s College Hospital to terminate the contract with the celebrated Albany Midwifery Practice in South London. IM UK would like to extend their support at this time to both the Albany Midwifery Practice as they negotiate their future, and to the group “Albany Mums” who are proposing to assist the practice in keeping alive the caseload midwifery model for mothers in the Peckham, South London area.
Following the demands of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and the “Albany Mums” for the confidential report to be made public, IM UK was pleased with the decision by King’s College Hospital to allow publication of the report on Monday 11 January. However, an independent review now needs to be undertaken by the Care Quality Commission to address the issues and lack of statistical evidence within it.
In the words of Baroness Julia Cumberlege, Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Maternity Group and Patron of IM UK, speaking before the report was published:
“I have huge admiration for midwives – particularly independent midwives. They were the model I used for Changing Childbirth, a policy document whose principles have been adopted by successive governments as the gold standard for maternity care.
“I have known the Albany Midwifery Practice for over 15 years, I know the quality of care they give to some of the most deprived women in London. Its hallmark is personalised care ensuring that women choose their midwife and together they decide the way the woman wants her baby to be born. It chimes with government policy of giving people choice over the care they receive.
I’m disappointed that Kings College Hospital has decided to terminate the contract and that the evidence has not been made public as to why this should be so. I understand CMACE is prepared for their report to be made public, but this is being denied by the Hospital Trust. I think it is essential that the report should be made public so all those involved – not least the mothers – should know why this action has been taken.
This issue should now be scrutinised by the Care Quality Commission if there are concerns over quality of care given.”
IM UK has concerns that the decision taken at Trust level highlights a flaw in the system, and gives further urgency to commission caseload midwifery at PCT Level.
IM UK has recently become a social enterprise to position itself as an alternative provider of gold standard midwifery care to women through the NHS.
Commenting on the CMACE report, Cathy Warwick, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said:
“Albany was a very innovative model and helped to accelerate the provision of women centred services. There is no doubt that there are lessons to be learned from this report. With the right structures and processes in place, the model of service offered by Albany can and should be replicated and adopted by other maternity services.”
About IM UK:
IM UK is an organisation that supports and promotes independent midwifery. IM UK believes that all women should be able to choose a midwife to provide individualised one-to-one care throughout her pregnancy, birth and early days of motherhood. Within the NHS, women usually receive care from a number of different midwives and midwives are often required to care for more than one woman in labour at the same time.
IM UK is currently campaigning to integrate independent midwifery with the NHS through PCT commissioning processes. We believe this will improve services for women and address the serious issue of midwifery shortages.
For more information, please contact:
Annie Francis: 07977695948
annie.francis@independentmidwives.org.uk
Eleanor May Johnson: 07900951571