The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) welcomes the Conservative Draft Manifesto 2010. This document sets out the plans by the Conservative party to deliver patient-centred care, improve public health and to reform the NHS so that it is accessible and accountable.
For these pledges to work, future policies must reflect the real-world pressures faced by the NHS and present workforce challenges. In the current economic climate, careful planning and financial management are needed so that patient needs are met and high standards of care continue to be provided.
In reference to the commitment to provide ‘real’ choice in maternity services; for this to be practicable, it has to be informed choice based on clinical appropriateness. For it to be sustainable, one-to-one midwifery care is needed so that women get the services they want. There is also the need for consultant expansion to deal with the increasing numbers of high-risk pregnancies seen on the NHS. Services should be designed and provided according to the Maternity Standards and guidelines developed by the four professional Royal Colleges (RCoA, RCM, RCOG and RCPCH) so that the best care can be given to pregnant mothers and their babies.
The RCOG welcomes the concept of local maternity networks, structured along similar lines to the existing Neonatal/Perinatal Networks across the UK since this ensures that services are linked, greater multi-disciplinary teamworking occurs and swift care is provided in emergencies. It would be useful to have an indication of how the Conservatives intend to run these networks and the costs involved. Again, the RCOG reiterates that it is crucial to ensure that maternity services have the basics in place with safety and quality as priorities – this means, more midwives and more consultants, so that round-the-clock care is provided.
5 January 2010