Health and Social Care Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateSteve Barclay
Main Page: Steve Barclay (Conservative - North East Cambridgeshire)Department Debates - View all Steve Barclay's debates with the Department for Business and Trade
(9 months, 3 weeks ago)
Ministerial CorrectionsWhat steps are the Government taking to increase the recruitment of midwives, given the closure of Stafford County Hospital’s freestanding midwifery birthing unit due to shortages, and how is the Secretary of State going to ensure that all midwives are trained to deal with birth injuries to reduce risk?
My hon. Friend raises an important point, and I know she has secured a debate in the House this week to further explore these issues. She will be aware that there has been a 13% increase in the number of midwifery programme place starters since two years ago. That is alongside the £165 million added to the maternity budget since 2021 and the key increase in midwifery places in the long-term workforce plan.
[Official Report, 17 October 2023, Vol. 738, c. 145.]
Letter of correction from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the right hon. Member for North East Cambridgeshire (Steve Barclay):
An error has been identified in my response to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Theo Clarke). The correct response should have been:
My hon. Friend raises an important point, and I know she has secured a debate in the House this week to further explore these issues. She will be aware that the long-term workforce plan anticipates a 13% increase in the number of midwifery programme place starters since two years ago. That is alongside the £165 million added to the maternity budget since 2021 and the key increase in midwifery places in the long-term workforce plan.