One in four UK women still having caesarean deliveries

Almost a quarter of all babies born nationwide in the past two years were delivered by caesarean section, according to the latest NHS figures.

The number of infants delivered in NHS hospitals increased by 0.4 per cent to 652,640 in 2008/09 from 649,840 the previous year.

In response, the Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS) said that the UK caesareans rate is more than double what it should be.

Beverley Beech, chair of AIMS, said: "One in four is a disgrace. The World Health Organisation has shown that there is no improvement in maternal or child health when caesarean sections succeed ten per cent.

"We need more midwives and we need more midwives who know how to support a woman who wants a normal birth."

Recent research from the National Childbirth Trust revealed that over 40 per cent of women live in areas without reasonable access to both a birth centre and a hospital obstetric unit.

News that patients could be forced to pay for routine operations may lead to renewed interest in private medical cover . In a survey of GPs last week, more than half said they expected to refer more...

The NHS is failing to treat elderly patients in England with care, dignity and respect, says the Health Service Ombudsman. The health service obudsman has today released the results of its ten point study...

David Flory the NHS Deputy Chief Executive has admitted that the 18 week pledge which promises that you will start treatment within 18 weeks of your GP referring you, are being increasingly missed. In a...

Despite pledges by David Cameron to keep waiting times low, newly released figures indicate that the number of people waiting more than six weeks for key NHS tests has quadrupled in one year*. In June 2010...

More people may be encouraged to take out private medical cover following a report revealing higher than expected death rates in several NHS hospitals. The Dr Foster report, which assessed 147 hospital...