Request
The Department of Health has stated that every SHA has provided a response to statements about the Maternity Matters guarantees, including that every woman will be able to choose where to have her baby. SHAs were approached at the end of 2009 and asked to confirm that this is being delivered by each of their PCTs.
I would like to request, under the Freedom of Information Act, the evidence from your SHA behind the response to this:
What evidence do you hold that all women within in each PCT of the East Midlands SHA are able to choose where they give birth, between the options of:
- Birth supported by a midwife at home;
- Birth supported by a midwife in a local midwifery facility such as a designated local midwifery unit or birth centre; and
- Birth supported by a maternity team in a hospital.
Our Response
I refer to your email of 5 March requesting information in respect of evidence held by NHS East Midlands regarding birth options for women within NHS East Midlands PCTs.
I can confirm in accordance with S.1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) that we do hold the information that you have requested.
NHS East Midlands has established a management and assurance process to ensure the implementation of Maternity Matters and has appointed an internal Maternity Matters lead. Regionally, NHS East Midlands has established a Maternity Partnership Board which Primary Care Trust (PCT) Commissioning Leads report to. Attached for your information is a copy of our most recent PCT return to the Department of Health that summarises the latest Maternity Matters highlight reports evidencing the birth options available for women within our PCT local areas.
Each PCT has established local mechanisms for monitoring and overseeing implementation and reporting on Maternity Matters to Trust Board level and Maternity Matters is discussed at PCT Quarterly review meetings.
Meetings have also been set up with PCT Directors responsible for ensuring implementation of Maternity Matters and Commissioning Leads. The aim of these meetings is to provide support to the Maternity Matters commissioning leads, to review action plans and progress being made and ensure the Maternity Matters agenda has a high profile within each PCT. PCT’s have also been asked to produce an assurance report to be signed off at Chief Executive level.
I hope that this information is of use. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have dealt with your request you can ask us to review our decision by writing to:-
Mr Kevin Orford
Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance
NHS East Midlands
Octavia House
Interchange Business Park
Bostock's Lane
Sandiacre
Nottingham
NG10 5QG
If at the conclusion of any review you remain dissatisfied you may complain to the Information Commissioner who can be contacted at:-
The Office of the Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
