The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) was extremely disappointed to hear the remarks made by Professor Caroline Flint on LBC radio on Sunday 14 June.
The RCOG firmly believes that every woman should be supported to make informed choices about their pregnancy and birth and should receive safe and compassionate care, personalised to their individual needs and choices.
The College concurs that it’s essential that women trust and feel listened to by healthcare professionals and is aware that there is evidence to support the benefits of appropriate midwife continuity of care.
However, it is a gross oversimplification to claim that midwifery care alone can prevent premature births and the need for some babies to receive neonatal care.
Professor Flint’s remark that overmedicalisation of pregnancy is costing lives is incorrect, besides doing a disservice to the vital role that obstetricians, neonatologists, anaesthesiologists and other specialists play in providing expert care for women and babies with complex care needs.
The RCOG is campaigning for more obstetricians, recognising that safe care depends on safe staffing levels, alongside the Royal College of Midwives’ call for safe staffing. However, it is completely incorrect to state that obstetricians are seeking to “run maternity services” and that male doctors cannot form good relationships with female patients.
We are committed to ensuring rapid progress continues to be made towards improving maternity services, working very closely with our respected partners, including the Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Royal College of Anaesthetists.
The RCOG strongly believes that it is only through multiprofessional maternity teams working together, ensuring that every woman and every baby receive the right care, that will we make progress in our collective journey to improve maternity care.