Commenting on figures from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) showing that 38.6 percent of maternity units had to temporarily shut during the last year, Justin Madders, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister said:

“This shocking poll is yet more evidence of the crisis engulfing our NHS as a result of Tory underfunding.

“Six years ago the Tories promised 3,000 more midwives, but they failed to deliver them. This has left maternity units across England operating without enough staff and unable to cope with rising demand.

“This situation is causing chaos for thousands of women in labour and could pose a serious risk to patient safety.

“Jeremy Hunt and Theresa May are in complete denial about the extent of this issue.  They need to use the Autumn Statement to deliver a rescue package for the NHS before this crisis turns into a catastrophe.”