Midwife shortage 'high' in county

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Health Authority (BBHA) had more midwife vacancies last year than any other authority in the UK, figures reveal.

A national league table obtained by the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act show that in March last year, BBHA was short of more than 70 midwives.

In a statement, the authority said its proximity to London led to problems in recruiting and retaining midwives.

But it was involved in projects to boost the number working in midwifery.

There has been a national problem in recruiting midwives and many areas in the south east had similar difficulties, BBHA said.

The Royal College of Midwives is campaigning for training bursaries, and working with the Department of Health to encourage more newly qualified midwives to remain in the job.