HC Deb 15 September 2004 vol 424 cc1644-5W
Mrs. Helen Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what care an NHS trust is required to provide to women wishing to have a home birth. [186115]

Dr. Ladyman

If a National Health Service trust provides a home birth service, it should ensure that suitably skilled midwives are available to attend the woman and to provide care and support throughout the labour and birth. Appropriate transfer arrangements should also be in place in case the woman or baby needs specialist medical care.