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Midwives jump to defence of maternity unit
CITY mums and midwives have jumped to the defence of Peterborough's maternity unit – branding allegations that it is in meltdown pure "fantasy."
CITY mums and midwives have jumped to the defence of Peterborough's maternity unit – branding allegations that it is in meltdown pure "fantasy."A national newspaper columnist painted a horrifying picture of the labour ward – where babies were being born in corridors and patients were languishing in "Third World" conditions.
Daily Mail journalist Allison Pearson's comments have sparked fury from hospital bosses.
And today, those who work in the maternity unit day in day out and women who have given birth there, spoke out to rubbish the claims.
Professional head of midwifery and matron for maternity services at Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Clare Carter said her reaction to the story was "absolute disbelief".
She said: "It doesn't seem recognisable from the service that we offer.
"I meet regularly with other heads of midwifery and our service is probably doing better than others.
"We want to reassure all women booked to deliver here at Peterborough, as well as those having ante and post natal care, that we provide a service with a very professional workforce and aim to deliver standards of care set out by the government.
"We are also actively recruiting staff."
She highlighted the recent Healthcare Commission report survey, which found mums who use the hospital's ward were happy with most aspects of it, as a testament to its good work.
Miss Carter admitted the rising birth rate – in part due to new arrivals of child-bearing age settling in the city – was having an impact.
However, she added: "There will be times when beds will be full but we will always make provision for someone in an emergency."
Yvonne Sweetland has been a midwife since 1977 and formerly headed the three-year midwifery course for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire.
She currently works at the unit as a bank midwife and said: "In my personal opinion, this is fantasy and very frightening for people coming to Peterborough.
"We have never closed our maternity wards to anyone, no matter how busy we are.
"Yes, we are busy, and yes, there are may be times midwives go without breaks on the labour wards.
"But that's why we are recruiting more midwives.
"Every midwife goes out of their way to make sure women are not compromised."
Diane Llewellyn (35) from Woodston is the proud mum of 11-day-old son Isaac.
She said her experiences of the city's maternity service bore little resemblance to the horror scenario portrayed in the Daily Mail.
She said: "I was really lucky because I was in a midwife-led unit, and had no problems at all.
"The midwives were absolutely fantastic and encouraging and had plenty of time for us."
Speaking from her bed on the maternity ward, Heather Cullen (40), from Stamford, who gave birth to Rory 16 hours earlier said her experience had been "totally, 100 per cent positive."
She added: "We have been so well looked after. My husband is in a wheelchair and they have even made sure he has access.
"At ante-natal classes, I heard nothing but good reports about the maternity unit from mums who had just had their babies."
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Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Light sleet
Temperature: -5 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
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