Following the broadcast of Panorama – Midwives under Pressure by the BBC, Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark, National Guardian for the NHS said:
“My thoughts are with the families who have lost their babies featured in Panorama’s investigation Midwives Under Pressure. The courageous midwives who have spoken up, and continue to speak up, about the impact of short staffing on the safety of their patients must be listened to. It is clear the distress this is causing.
“The programme states that what is needed is more listening. Listening is not enough – action must be taken. Workers do not have the resources they need to deliver the high-quality safe care they want for their patients. This is having a direct impact on patient safety.
“Failing to take action compounds the sense that speaking up in the NHS is futile. Yet leaders themselves often seem unable to address these concerns. Whether this is due to lack of adequate funding, or management culture, leaders themselves need to listen to understand and amplify the voices of their workers to politicians and policy makers.”