Written question asked by John Baron (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 January 2006. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 30 January 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Maternity Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many midwife-led birth centres there are in England;

Answer: [holding answer 23 January 2006]: It is a matter for local services to determine how they use their midwifery resources and how far they are able to introduce caseload working in maternity services. Not all midwives are able to undertake this form of working as it requires a great deal of flexibility in terms of their working day. Trusts that have been successful in attracting and retaining their midwifery workforce have in place a variety of care models.

Secondary information