HC Deb 07 February 2002 vol 379 c1171W
Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the size of maternity units in the NHS. [32965]

Yvette Cooper

[holding answer 4 February 2002]: The national health service provides care for women during pregnancy and childbirth in various types and sizes of maternity units. This will vary from large units in hospitals to small midwife led units. It is for local health authorities, trusts and communities to decide on the pattern of service provision taking into account the needs of local service users, evidence of effectiveness and available resources.