Midwives from Honiton joined a march through Exeter to highlight what they say is a crisis in NHS

maternity care. Scores of protesters held up placards and asked passers-by to sign a petition demanding

Government ministers increase investment in maternity services.

The protest was staged last Saturday (November 27), by grassroots movement March for Midwives

which also organised demonstrations in Truro, Torquay, Barnstable and across the UK. Marchers in Exeter included midwives, parents, pregnant women and other health professionals.

There were also members of the Devon Maternity Voices Partnership.

In July the Quality Care Commission found 41 per cent of maternity units in the UK either 'required

improvement' or were 'inadequate'. The Royal Devon and Exeter hospital was classed as 'good' overall, although it only scored 'adequate'

for safety.

The Royal College of Midwives estimates the UK is short of 3,500 midwives, leaving wards and

communities "chronically understaffed." One Honiton midwife, who asked not be named, said: "Every team, unit, trust provision across the

country has experienced problems.

"Midwives are stretched to their capacity, which sadly leaves many with burnout, depression,

anxiety of not getting a break or time to go to the toilet. "Everyone provides the care to the best standard they can. But everyone knows if you don't have

time to eat or drink and rest, it takes its toll on the functionality of the mind and body.

"Many experienced midwives with years of knowledge and skills are leaving the service. The

numbers being trained to replace them are not sufficient." Young mum Rebecca Bates (25) from Honiton, said she received excellent care at RD&E during her

pregnancy.

But she added: "My care the weeks after the birth hasn't been quite so great due to staff shortages

and their workload. "I was seen on day five and then not again until three weeks after." According to NHS guideline, all new babies should be seen by a health visitor between one and two

weeks after birth.

Another Honiton mum Vicki Redford (25) also had excellent care at RD&E, last September.

"My midwife was absolutely amazing for both my children and was there whenever I needed her,

day or night," she said. "But I know the midwife who delivered my son didn't have a break during her whole shift." A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Midwives do an incredibly important

job and we know how challenging it has been for those working during the pandemic.

"There are more midwives working in the NHS now than at any other time in its history and we are

aiming to hire 1,200 more with a £95m recruitment drive." The RCM survey found 60 per cent of UK midwives are considering leaving the profession. Eighty per

cent of those planning to leave cited inadequate staffing levels as a contributing factor.

In addition, 67 per cent of surveyed midwives said they were unhappy with the quality and safety of

care they are currently able to deliver.