Cllr Kitcat

Greens in Brighton & Hove are marking International Women’s Day today (March 8) by calling for more funding for maternity services in the city.
 
The Green Group of Cllrs have submitted a Notice of Motion to be considered at the next Full Council meeting calling for greater financial support for local maternity services.
 
Deputy Convenor Cllr Amy Kennedy said:
“We welcome the news that the PCT are planning to introduce a midwife led unit in the city, following a recent survey into local residents views about the kinds of maternity services they desire.
 
“But the Have Your Say survey showed just how much else needs to change - and chief among these was better continuity of care. An overwhelming 88 per cent of respondents said they wanted to see the same midwife throughout their pregnancy and for post natal care - but recent research suggest just 6 in every 100 women to give birth locally actually get this kind of consistency.
 
"Greens are supporting this call, and are also backing the national Reclaim Birth campaign - which seeks greater funding and support for maternity services across the country more generally. Local midwives are doing the very best they can, but there's an urgent need for better support for this crucial part of the NHS.
 
"Across the world, more than half a million women die during pregnancy or childbirth every year. While women in the UK fare better than many elsewhere, there's still a job of work to do to ensure maternity services across the country better reflect the needs and wishes of pregnant women and their partners.”
 
The Motion will be presented to the Council on March 18 by Cllr Jason Kitcat, Green Group Health Spokesperson.

For more information about the Greens view:
www.brightonhovegreens.org