Written questions

Maternity Services: Recruitment

Commons · Question 15106 · Tabled 1 Jul 2026 · Department of Health and Social Care · Official record

Answered 9 Jul 2026

Question

Asked by Freddie van Mierlo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of maternity services not recruiting newly qualified midwives on patient safety, continuity of care and overall costs.

Answer

Answered by Karin Smyth, 9 Jul 2026

We are aware of the difficulties newly qualified midwives are experiencing in securing employment in the National Health Service. NHS England actively monitors future nursing and midwifery student numbers, current vacancies, and staff turnover and is taki...