BBC Verify analysis shows that the number of full-time equivalent midwife posts in England has gone up by 7% in the last decade. In comparison, the overall NHS workforce has increased by 34%. The country has a shortage of about 2,500 midwives, and maternity units are struggling with safety concerns.
Further rounds of industrial action are taking place across the NHS this week and they are expected to cause major disruption to patient appointments. This week’s strike will be starting at 7 am on Wednesday 3rd January and finishing at 7 am on Tuesday 9th January.
The first patients are now being treated at the £15m state-of-the-art intensive treatment unit (ITU) that provides 22 new beds for the borough’s most critically ill individuals.
Children being treated by Croydon Health Services NHS Trust this Christmas received a special Christmas surprise yesterday (Thursday 14 December) when they were visited by a group of footballers from Crystal Palace Football Club.
Our dedicated charity’s appeal to fund two life-saving ventilators for critically ill children has now raised an impressive £32,326. Generous supporters, including Belle the pony, have rallied together to raise funds for the Little Breaths appeal which is funding new medical equipment.