A NINE per cent increase in the number of midwives is needed in the North-East to keep up with the baby boom, according to the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).

The message comes on the back of recent figures showing that the region’s birthrate has rocketed over the past ten years.

There has been a 19 per cent increase in births in the region since 2001, with births hitting 30,826 last year, up four per cent on the previous year.

This is the highest regional increase in England.

The RCM estimates that at least 91 more midwives are needed in the North-East to ensure that mothers get safe and high-quality care.

This does not seem like a large number, but given that there are only 1,050 midwives in the area, this is a significant shortfall and is equivalent to a medium-sized maternity unit delivering 3,200 babies per year.

The RCM estimates that an extra 370 midwives are needed to meet the increased demand in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Midwife shortages means that women expecting a home birth are denied one.

It will mean midwife-led units close, permanently or temporarily, leaving many disappointed woman who wanted to give birth in them.

Breastfeeding rates will not improve because there are not enough midwives to offer women the help and support they need.

Jeanne Tarrant, RCM manager in the North-East, said: “While it is one of the better staffed regions, there is no doubt that more midwives are needed. It is also not just about numbers.

“More investment is needed, action is needed, and it is needed now. Without this I have real fears that maternity services in the North-East will be struggling to cope with the demands on them.”

Earlier this year, a shortage of midwives led to the closure of the Bishop Auckland Hospital maternity unit for two months. The unit reopened recently after 12 midwives were recruited.

Head of midwifery at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Janet Mackie said: “We have noticed recently there has been a slight increase in the number of babies being born.

“We constantly monitor our staff levels and recently advertised for and recruited a small number of midwives. We also have a number of student midwives who are due to qualify shortly.”

A spokeswoman for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said there had been a small year-on-year increase in births and the midwife workforce was monitored.