Systemic problems in maternity services are part of wider systemic problems in the NHS in England

Wilkinson’s article1 on Kirkup’s review2 of recurring problems in maternity services highlights the cultural and systemic matters involved. These need to be understood in the context of similar challenges across the NHS, from acute care to mental health services.The Health and Social Care Act 2022 is a clear statement that the fragmentation created by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 is central to many of the NHS’s difficulties, although confusion around lines of authority and responsibility were built on problems caused by the introduction of primary care trusts in 2001. This is a cross-political matter and the functioning of the NHS in England has been impaired by the creation of “turbulent environments”3 by successive governments.Wilkinson quotes Kirkup as suggesting resources are not a key factor in tackling intractable problems. The NHS workforce is its primary resource and Kirkup found workforce problems to be systemic. Improving performance and teamworking in…
Read Original Article: Systemic problems in maternity services are part of wider systemic problems in the NHS in England »