There is a Midwifery-Led unit at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot. It became midwifery-led in 1995 as a result of the Special Care Unit being closed and 24hr paediatric cover being withdrawn. If there had not been a strong enough public feeling about having the midwifery-led unit there, the hospital would not have continued to have a maternity unit. Claire Aberdeen has had a midwife-led unit since 1990. It is situated adjacent to the consultant-led labour ward within the main maternity unit.
Midwives provide intrapartum care for women considered to be 'at low obstetric risk'.
I was involved in the evaluation carried out in 1992-1993 and would be happy to answer any questions about that. At West Wales Hospital - we do midwife led care. I have found very helpful. However, there was a woman who was G5P4, who wouldn't be considered MLC due to her parity but wanted a home birth. The Wessex Maternity Centre is a private birth centre.