Maternity in the United Kingdom

Since the National Insurance Act 1911 there has been state involvement in provision of maternity services in the United Kingdom.

History

Maternity hospitals in the UK can be traced back to the 18th century. In 1939 there were about 2,100 maternity beds in London. Most women gave birth at home. At the outbreak of war most of these beds were closed and women were encouraged to leave the capital to give birth. Travel expenses were paid and 14 shillings a day for the five weeks lying in. The V bombing in 1944 led to the further evacuation of London hospitals. About 750 mothers every week were evacuated and emergency maternity homes were established in the countryside. Even after August 1945 200-300 women a week were leaving London to have their babies. National funding was withdrawn from 31 August 1945 but the London County Council continued to pay for the use of emergency maternity homes for women who could not have their babies at home. These arrangements appeared to have reduced infant mortality considerably. The birth rate was the highest for 15 years and the still birth rate was the lowest on record - 75% of the rate in 1938. The National Milk Scheme provided a pint of milk a day for 2d - the normal price was 4 1/2d - together with free cod liver oil and orange juice.[1]

Midwives

The Midwives Act 1902 established a register of midwives, because of concerns about the large number of maternal and infant deaths. It became an offence to "habitually and for gain, attend women in childbirth otherwise than under the direction of a qualified medical practitioner unless she be certified under this Act".[2] The register is still maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Maternity services

Women who do not have ordinarily resident status in the United Kingdom are liable for charges for maternity services of around £7000 or more if there are complications. These charges discourage migrant women from accessing antenatal care. They can also be charged for miscarriages and stillbirths. These women don’t have secure housing and they may receive care from more than one hospital and get more than one bill, sometimes several years later. According to the campaign group Maternity Action charges are often laid against women who are not liable as the complexities of immigration law defeat NHS clerical staff. Although women are not refused treatment if they cannot pay non-payment affects their immigration status.[3]

Maternity benefits

The 1911 Act provided for maternity benefit of thirty shillings for the wives of those who paid National Insurance Contributions building on the model of the friendly societies.[4]

Statutory Maternity Pay is payable to women who are employed and have worked long enough to qualify. Maternity Allowance is paid to those who do not qualify for it but have paid enough National Insurance Contributions.

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References
  1. Waller, Maureen (2004). London 1945. London: John Murray. p. 414. ISBN 0719566002.
  2. Abel-Smith, Brian (1960). A History of the Nursing Profession. London: Heinemann. p. 77.
  3. "Migrant women who have miscarriages 'wrongly charged £7,000 for antenatal care'". Independent. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  4. "National Insurance Act 1911". Socialist Health Association. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
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