Updated 29.07.21
We understand that the news of us temporarily suspending our Homebirth service has been distressing for women under our care and we would like to assure you that we are doing all we can, in very challenging and unusual circumstances, to resume normal services as soon as we can. We fully appreciate the emotional impact of this news for you and your families and are reviewing the situation daily.
The decision to suspend the homebirth service was only made as a very last resort. We looked at all other options to enable us to keep the service running, including enlisting the help of Independent Midwives. We do have several Independent Midwives working within the service, but even with this additional resource, our staffing remains a challenge. At this current time, our hospitals, and many other maternity services across the East of England, are facing severe staffing shortages due to Covid-19-related absences. This means we have to make incredibly difficult decisions in order to provide a safe service to all the women in our care.
All women who were or are booked to have a homebirth will be contacted by our Maternity Team. Women who are currently at the stage where they’re discussing their birthing plan with their midwife are still being told about the homebirth service as an option for them. If you have any concerns please get in touch with your midwife who can escalate to the appropriate member of staff.
We will update you on progress with reinstating the Homebirth service as soon as we have further news. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
If you have non-clinical questions please contact your Maternity and Neonatal Voice Partnership.
- Peterborough and Hinchingbrooke Maternity Voice Partnership via email peterboroughhinchingbrookemvp@gmail.com or via their Facebook page.
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