NHS Fife abandons plan to end home births — but warns issue may have to be revisited

A plan to axe Fife's home birth service has been shelved by health chiefs, much to the relief of campaigners.

By Craig Smith
Published in the Courier : 15.09.11
Published online : 15.09.11 @ 11.15am

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There were renewed warnings, however, that the controversial proposals may have to be revisited in future given the financial state of the region's health services.

News that the service was under review over the summer sparked anger from parents, prospective parents and midwives who felt the move would deny women the right to give birth in a more relaxed environment at home (link). Almost 500 people have signed up to a 'Right to Home Birth for parents of Fife' Facebook page (link) in protest.

With NHS Fife's operational division needing to save millions of pounds this year, officials had pinpointed the home birth service — which contributed to a £500,000 overspend in maternity services last year — as one area that could be scrapped, citing evidence suggesting home births are more expensive than those in maternity units, and the number of home births are relatively low.

But NHS Fife's operational divisional committee, meeting on Wednesday, decided not to pursue the proposal, amid warnings that savings will have to be made elsewhere.

Caroline Inwood, director of nursing, midwifery, therapies and rehabilitation, said there was a strong case against the continuation of the service on financial grounds, and to a certain extent on risk grounds, but said current national policy supported giving women a choice.

"Home birth is very resource-intensive for the NHS compared with midwife-led birth," she said. "This proposal is set in the context of having to balance the demands of providing care to the population of Fife and ensuring that public money is used effectively for the whole population.

"The division, including maternity services, needs to save £8.5 million. Last year maternity services staffing costs were £500,000 over budget.

"Staff are concerned about the increasing number of high-risk women who insist on home birth. But these factors need to be balanced against the position as outlined in (national policies). These documents presume a choice of place and method of birth."

With that in mind, committee members agreed national policy gave NHS Fife little choice but to put the proposal on the back burner, although Dave Stewart, chairman of the operational division, said the committee would write to ministers to ask them to review the legislation.

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