A new study has revealed how the Government’s underinvestment in the NHS has left maternity units understaffed and under pressure. Research commissioned by Labour shows that in 2017 there were at least 287 occasions on which maternity units were closed to new mothers, and almost half of the maternity units in England were temporarily closed at some point. This includes the Bristol NHS Trust, which had to close the maternity unit to new admissions on 29 occasions due to high demand and a lack of resources.

Expectant mothers soon to give birth should not have to worry about whether they will be admitted to the local maternity unit. At the last election, I stood on a manifesto that committed to give the NHS and the social care sector the funding it needs, and I will keep calling on the Government to invest properly in the NHS.