Written question asked by Richard Taylor (Independent (affiliation)) on Wednesday, 3 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 5 March 2010. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Midwives: Training

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the likely effects of plans for future numbers of university places on the numbers of midwives in training; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Secretary of State for Health has not had a discussion with the Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills on this topic.Strategic health authorities (SHAs) are responsible as regional education commissioners for delivering the number of undergraduate nursing and midwifery places commissioned each year. The numbers are based on the long term workforce requirements of their service providers.More midwives are being trained than ever before and the latest figures show there has been a 38 per cent. increase in the number of students entering training to become a midwife since 1996-97.SHAs are on track to meet the Government's commitment to have in place 4,000 extra midwives by 2012 subject to the birth rate.

Secondary information