Midwives: Graduate Guarantee

Debate between Lord Sahota and Baroness Merron

Tuesday 21st April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I was about to answer the noble Lord’s first question by talking about retention and then he helpfully raised retention. Retention rates for existing midwives are improving, as is the number of midwives. That includes a mentoring scheme, strengthening advice and support on pensions, flexible retirement options, and publication of menopause policies and guidance to support midwives to stay in work. We also have unit-based retention leads to focus on this and provide support to midwives. I think that is a really important initiative.

[Lord Sahota (Lab)]

My Lords, given that the National Health Service is always short of nurses and midwives, do the Government have any plans to bring in any overseas nurses and midwives to fill the jobs?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The issue is more a misalignment of numbers than a straightforward shortage, as the number of midwives has increased. There was a 2.6% increase in January 2026 compared to the year before, so the trajectory is good. The misalignment, as I have explained, is that we are dealing with a situation where midwives are being trained but they cannot get jobs. That is what we have to bring together and what we are doing through the graduate guarantee scheme.

National Health Service Regulations

Debate between Lord Sahota and Baroness Merron

Tuesday 16th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I appreciate what my noble friend says about HealthWatch, which has done a sterling job over the years. However, in assessing where we are in ensuring that we have the right framework in place, including on patient safety—Dr Penny Dash recently published her report saying that the landscape was “cluttered” and it was difficult to hear the patient voice—it is right that we make the changes that we do to improve things. The reform to the GP contract very much assists general practice to be at the heart of a neighbourhood health service, and that is where we are going.

[Lord Sahota (Lab)]

My Lords, when the new Government came in, I heard that they were planning walk-in clinics. How is that progressing?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

In terms of development, as my noble friend will know, the 10-year health plan speaks very clearly of a “neighbourhood health service”, which people will find it easier to access. It will be up to local areas how they do that. In a number of areas, as my noble friend refers to, that will mean clinics where all services are under one roof. We would certainly encourage that. I can also give an example of a pilot scheme taking place now with mental health crisis centres. They are 24/7, all year round, and are available without referral for people who need mental health support, as well as advice and guidance: they can access those.