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Latest News
Ongoing visitor restrictions in maternity services
This weekend Alicia Kearns MP and over 60 Conservative MPs wrote to NHS Trusts demanding the removal of visiting restrictions in maternity. Day after day, for many months now, Birthrights has been hearing directly from women and their families about the trauma ongoing restrictions are causing. The hashtag #butnotmaternity created by our friends at Birthbliss … Read more
A quarter of mothers say their decisions were not respected when giving birth
Today Birthrights and Mumsnet have published the results of a survey showing that five years on from the ‘Montgomery ruling’, which established that women are the primary decision makers in their own care, less than half say this accurately describes their experience. The ‘Montgomery ruling’ of 11 March 2015 is named after claimant (and … Read more
Birthrights calls for easing of visiting restrictions in maternity services
Birthrights has today written to NHS England and NHS Improvement calling for national guidance on easing visiting restrictions in maternity services in England, to recognise the unique needs of pregnant women/birthing people and their partners. Some Trusts still have the same visiting restrictions that were put in place at the height of the pandemic. Birthrights … Read more
Birthrights is seeking new trustees – apply by 30.9.20
Birthrights is seeking three new trustees to join our board of trustees. This is an important and exciting time to join the Birthrights board. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, there is an unprecedented need for our services. Our advice service has seen a 400% increase in demand and we are supporting hundreds of … Read more
Home birth contracts
The BBC reported this week that NHS Lothian was reinstating its home birth service but would require individuals to sign contracts promising a series of safeguards for midwives. Earlier in the week there were reports of other Trusts in England using contracts to spell out the risks (the benefits were sadly omitted) of home birth. … Read more
Recruiting an Operations Co-ordinator – part time/flexible 3 days per week – NOTE THIS IS NOW CLOSED
£24,000 pro rata, £14,400 actual per annum Deadline – 9am Monday 6 July Birthrights is recruiting for a new Operations Co-ordinator. If you are a skilled administrator and with a passion for ensuring organisational operations run smoothly and efficiently, please apply to join our friendly and dynamic team. The role purpose: To manage the day-to-day … Read more
Birthrights’ communication with Trusts & other organisations re coronavirus
Birthrights works to empower individuals contacting our advice line, Maternity Voices Partnerships and others with an interest, with the information they need to assess and challenge local decisions where appropriate. However where necessary we also write to Trusts and Local Maternity Systems and other organisations directly. The table below lists our correspondence with Trusts and … Read more
Birthrights joins the #TwoPointsSix Challenge
Join the rest of the country coming together to show your support for charities including Birthrights to meet the challenges faced by Covid 19. Birthrights has seen a huge increase in demand for our advice service from women who are fearful and anxious about their rights and choices in pregnancy and birth during the Covid … Read more
Birthrights calls for protection of UK women giving birth during coronavirus
Birthrights has today released a statement calling for NHS England and the Royal Colleges to protect the rights of women giving birth during coronavirus. We applaud the dedication of maternity professionals across the UK. Despite the challenges faced by maternity services we must remain united in the belief that every woman needs safe, respectful and … Read more
Coronovirus – how will it affect my rights to maternity care?
(updated 14th September 2020) If you are pregnant, you may be concerned about how coronavirus or COVID-19 (the illness resulting from coronavirus) will affect your rights to maternity care, if cases increase significantly as expected. The NHS has general information on its website about coronavirus (separate guidance applies to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). The … Read more