SaHF DMBC Volume 1 Edition 1.1.pdf - Shaping a healthier future

Support for the proposal is higher among women (77%) than men (72%), and higher among
those from BME groups (82%) compared with those from white backgrounds (73%). Those
aged 25-34 are more likely to support the proposal than overall (81% vs 75%). There is no
significant difference in support between respondents with a disability and those without a
disability.
There is no significant difference in overall support between current/past workers of the NHS
or independent health sector and those who have never worked in the health sector.
Across the eight North West London boroughs, support is significantly higher among those
living in Kensington and Chelsea than overall (85%). Higher levels of support are also seen
among those living in Richmond (87%) and Wandsworth (92%).
Support for the proposal is also significantly higher than overall among those most likely to
receive urgent care at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (83%) and West Middlesex
Hospital (81%).
7.35 Paediatric and maternity units in major hospital
Very few stakeholders commented on the specific proposal that all major hospitals should
have inpatient paediatric units. Those that did, including the Royal College of Paediatrics
and Child Health, supported it.
The proposal for all major hospitals to have consultant-led maternity units, together with a
unit at Queen Charlotte‟s and Chelsea Hospital if Hammersmith Hospital is not a major
hospital, was also supported by most of the relatively small numbers of stakeholders
commenting on it.
The Royal College of Midwives supported the proposals but criticised the absence of
any freestanding midwife-led units in the proposals or discussions on how to
facilitate home births:
“The loss of consultant obstetric services at Ealing could have a negative impact on tackling
health inequalities in the borough; this could be mitigated – at least for women at low
medical risk - if the obstetric service were replaced by a FMU…. we are extremely
disappointed that Shaping a healthier future does not include any proposals for the
establishment of freestanding midwife-led units (FMUs).”
This proposal also attracted some concerns and criticisms. Ealing Hospital Medical Staff
Committee questioned where the „extra births‟ were going to go to and how maternity
services are going to cope. Ealing Council raised “the clear risk of loss of valued and high
quality maternity services should SaHF proposals be taken forward.”
Hillingdon LINk argued that the targets to increase the number of home births are highly
ambitious and questioned whether “large maternity units” meet the needs of expectant
mothers.
7.36 Specific Feedback
During Consultation a number of specific organisational responses were received. These
were individually considered by the CIG. Details of these and other responses are below.
7d. Work of the Maternity CIG 197