Government plans to recruit 4,000 midwives

The government has announced plans to employ 4,000 extra midwives in England by 2012, in an attempt to reduce the pressure placed on the country's maternity services.

The decision was made following the publication of a Healthcare Commission report in January, which questioned staff levels after finding large amounts of variation in the quality of maternity care being provided across England.

Health secretary Alan Johnson explained that midwives who have left the NHS will be offered a "golden hello" of £3,000 to bring them back to the job. Other incentives will include free training, support with childcare and travel expenses, and a grant of up to £1,500.

Mr Johnson said: "Many of these extra midwives will be new to the profession, but there are also former midwives whose expertise could be brought back to the NHS given the right support.

"This is why we will make up to £3,000 worth of support available to each returning midwife, providing free training and financial support while they study."

The Healthcare Commission report found that maternity services are being cut back because of a lack of staffing, and that one in four women are being left along during labour or shortly after giving birth.

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