Jersey's home birth service paused following safety concerns

Friday, 10 January 2025 11:59

Expectant Jersey parents no longer have option of home births, after the service was paused in 2024.

Midwives from island's home birth service delivered 34 babies in 2023 and nine in last year, before stopping the practice on 14 October.

Channel 103 were told this is a 'temporary pause' whilst an internal review is carried out. This will include an assessment of protocols, training and resources.

Ros Bullen-Bell, Director of Midwifery, said the review was prompted by safety concerns:

"What I want to ensure is that we're providing a safe, fully confident, service for mothers and babies...

"I've got a few members of staff that may have had the training but I want to make sure we have a robust cohort of midwives who have had that training for providing care in the home birth setting."

Ros is hoping to train up the majority of midwives on the unit during the pause in the service, so staff are equipped to provide care for mums wanting to give birth at home.

Inside Jersey's midwife-led maternity suite

Until home birthing is reinstated, the health department wants to reassure parents-to-be that their recently re-opened maternity unit, which sports its own midwife-led ward, is on-hand to help.

It is expected that home birthing will be recommenced in the first half of 2025.

Ros Bullen-Bell said this is dependent though on getting the green light from politicians:

"I've got to make sure that I provide that assurance to the ministers etc and the Chief Officer to make sure they are happy with everything we've put in place, to make sure that we are providing that safe, effective service for all

"It's difficult to put a full timeline on it but it is a temporary pause and my passion is absolutely to get it back up and running as soon as possible."