March for Midwives: Local residents protest 'maternity crisis' opposite Whiston Hospital

For a number of years, the "chronically underfunded" sector has been experiencing a staffing crisis where large numbers of midwives have been retiring or leaving the profession, yet this change has not been accompanied with an "equivalent workforce to replace them".

Described as a "ticking time bomb" that has only been made worse by the pandemic, midwives have become both physically and mentally exhausted as they often work long hours and without sufficient numbers of staff.

Some young protestors at Henley Park

Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, a recent survey carried out by the Royal College of Midwives shows more than half of staff are considering leaving the profession.

With hundreds of midwives experiencing mental health problems due to the continued staffing shortages, vigils and protests were organised across the country to raise awareness of the crisis and impel the government to take action.

Local midwives, students and those aware of the situation joined the national campaign in Henley Park on Sunday, November 21, to protest the issue opposite the grounds of Whiston Hospital.

The vigil was to protest the staffing crisis, lack of investment and exhaustion felt by midwives

One of the vigil's organisers, who wishes not to be identified, explained that midwives across St Helens are struggling to cope with the crisis they feel on a daily basis.

She said: "The NHS and the maternity sector is chronically underfunded and women's health just doesn't seem a priority.

"This has been a problem for quite a long time but the pandemic has made it so much worse. It used to be more balanced where we could rest and lean one another, but it's just relentless at the moment.

Out of every 30 midwifery trained students, research finds only one continues in the profession

With many midwives leaving the profession or taking sick leave for mental health issues such as PTSD, there are concerns that a depleted and stressed workforce cannot provide the care that staff want to give women.

Staff are also worried about the future as research finds that out of every 30 trained midwifery students, only one will continue with the profession.

Nevertheless, with the protests gaining national traction within a couple of days, they are described as "only the beginning" - with passionate workers working on a manifesto that understands the experiences of midwives, and along with investment, what they want to see change and improve within the sector.

Although there are intense strains on midwives at present, the organiser stressed that women coming to maternity wards will always receive the best of their care and be kept safe.

She added: "I want to reassure women that we will always care for them and keep them safe. I care very deeply about the women coming into the ward but we just need help."