By Rebecca Thompson
The Health Secretary has vowed to eradicate inequalities in women’s maternity and childbirth care at the Labour Party Conference.
Speaking in Liverpool, Wes Streeting said that a black woman in the UK is twice as likely to die during childbirth than a white woman. While, on average, a child born in Blackpool will live ten years less than a child born in other parts of the country.
A study by MBRRACE-UK suggests there is a three-fold difference in maternal mortality between women from black ethnic backgrounds and those of white backgrounds.
His speech follows a weekend of protests over cuts to Liverpool’s specialist women’s hospital.
Maternity and gynaecology services at the hospital are under review for potential relocation to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, which campaigners believe will reduce the quality of care that women and babies receive.
On Sunday, protesters for Save Liverpool Women’s Hospital took to the streets opposing the relocation and to demand the NHS be restored to its former state – before
cuts, longer waiting lists and redundancies took hold.
They made their way from Lime Street Station to the ACC Liverpool where the Labour Party Conference is being held.
Alice Bennett, who took part, said: “Because of the services and the facilities there that are really bespoke to women’s health – it’ll get diluted if it’s moved to the
Royal and there will be fewer services, fewer specialists.”
She added that building a specific wing at the Royal for maternity care might work, but it’s unclear if that is being considered.
Paul Dolan, a former NHS worker said: “The hospital has served one of the most deprived populations in the country in terms of industrial heritage with high levels of infant mortality.”
“The majority of people who were consulted didn’t want any closure. They’ve got a really valid case for keeping it open,” he added.
Alice Bennett said that the Liverpool Women’s Hospital is in a great location for the people: “It has a better reach.”
“It’s so important for women to have healthy births, and for that service to meet a diverse range of women. It should stay where it is,” Bennett added.
@merseynewslive The Health Secretary has vowed to eradicate inequalities in women’s healthcare after a weekend of protests #health #labourpartyconference #liverpoolwomenshospital
