Doctors' strikes will push maternity wards to a breaking point - and women will suffer the most |
By Anastasia Shubareva-Epshtein
If a deal is not reached for the planned doctors’ strikes in England next week, the impact on expectant and new mothers could be profound.
We already know that the NHS is stretched far beyond its limits, and women across the country are struggling to receive even the most basic level of maternity care.
This is not a reflection of the dedication of midwives, doctors, and nurses who work under enormous pressure every day. It is the result of deep systemic issues that continue to fail the very people who most need protection.
If the strike goes ahead, it will fall during one of the busiest periods for maternity wards. It is not difficult to see how a system that is already fragile could reach a breaking point.
Research shows that timely, attentive care can prevent or significantly reduce complications during birth and postpartum. Yet many women are left waiting for support or even labouring alone because midwives are stretched across multiple patients.
A