This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7552875.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
NI maternity care 'facing crisis' Midwives struggle with baby boom
(30 minutes later)
Maternity care in Northern Ireland is facing a crisis due to an increase in the birth rate and lack of staff, the Royal College of Midwives has warned.Maternity care in Northern Ireland is facing a crisis due to an increase in the birth rate and lack of staff, the Royal College of Midwives has warned.
The number of babies born in Northern Ireland last year rose to 24,000 - 2,000 more than the previous year.The number of babies born in Northern Ireland last year rose to 24,000 - 2,000 more than the previous year.
Breda Hughes, from the RCM, said staffing levels had not increased to cope with the extra workload.Breda Hughes, from the RCM, said staffing levels had not increased to cope with the extra workload.
She said on top of this, nearly half of all midwives are due to retire within 10 years. "They are concerned about the quality of care, about staffing levels and about pay," she said.