MUMS-TO-BE need have no worries about staffing shortages according to Warrington Hospital's maternity unit.

The assurance comes after a hospital in Bristol this week reported that it was cutting maternity services due to a shortage of midwives. Women were told they could be discharged six hours after the birth unless there was a clinical reason for them to remain in hospital.

Pat Jones, a Senior Midwife at Warrington Hospital, said: "To date, we have had no problems in attracting midwives to this hospital.

"We make every effort to keep abreast of changes in midwifery practises and try to offer as far as possible what our clients want. A six hour discharge after birth, provided there are no clinical problems, is an option which has been available for years and certainly would not be related to staffing problems at this hospital."

Warrington Hospital NHS Trust currently has 120 full and part time midwives.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.