JERSEY’S suspended home birth service will not be reinstated until later this year after a UK company has come to the Island to train 40 local midwives, States Members were told yesterday.
Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell – who has responsibility for women’s health matters – said that the service had been paused due to a shortage of trained midwives.
The Health Department suspended the home birth service in October to carry out an internal review of protocols, staff training and resources.
Yesterday, Deputy Howell explained the reasons behind the suspension in more detail. She said: “We very much regret the temporary pause to the home birthing system service.
“However, because we do not have enough trained midwives, we have been advised by the director of midwifery and nursing that the service has to cease temporarily.
“We have an obligation to support her expert professional opinion. This is to ensure that our maternity service is safe for our mums.
“There will be no exceptions.”
The assistant minister added that the department recently faced “the retirement of some very experienced midwives”.
Deputy Howell revealed that plans were in place for 40 local midwives to be trained in home births by a UK company.
The training firm – which has not yet been named but was described as a “very highly thought-of training service” – is due to come to the Island in April or May this year.
“Unfortunately, it cannot be sooner due to the training team having prior commitments concurrently,” explained Deputy Howell.
The Assistant Health Minister also confirmed that the outcome of the review of the home birth service was due by the end of June at the earliest.
Deputy Howell added: “The plan is to reintroduce the home birthing service when all the staff have been appropriately trained, any recommendations to the review have been implemented, and it is deemed safe to do so.
“In the meantime, all women have been offered to care and support for the delivery of their babies within the maternity unit at the General Hospital.”
