I would like to know the current pressures on ambulance and midwifery services and likely support if I am giving birth from mid-April onwards. I have received conflicting information from midwifery team and obstetrician as to the situation and likely restoration of services and would like to know:
a) any data relating to pressure on ambulance services and why staffing/vehicle issues are not being addressed to increase levels of support to deliver a reasonable level of service, following what I am informed is a year of no home birth provision due to reduction in service availability
b) any data around midwifery teams and capacity to support home births, whether this is a factor in suspension in service and how this is being addressed
c) how the decision regarding support for home births is being considered – how regularly, by whom and considering what factors, and when a decision can be expected relating to April/May 2022 births
d) likely triage/transfer time based on ambulance service provision over the last year if I choose to birth unassisted at home and require emergency care in hospital, particularly should there be severe post-partum haemorrhage.
