§ Baroness Cumberlegeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy towards 24-hour birthing centres. [HL3992]
§ Lord WarnerThe National Health Service has a responsibility to provide a 24-hours maternity service. However, we advocate local decision making in designing appropriate, effective services and available resources that fits in with the ethos of woman-centred care. It is inevitable that the requirements of women will vary in different parts of the country and this is why it is so important that decisions about service provisions are made at a local level.