MUMS-TO-BE and midwives were left in shock with the sudden closure of the One to One Midwife service this week.

They were given just two days’ notice before the employees lost their jobs and the women were left without maternity care.

Undoubtedly it is a stressful time for all involved and the influx of extra women transferring to hospital care has been tough.

But the trust says it will care for the women and they will be transferred.

But this raises the issue of contracts for health services and what sort of safety net there is in place for when things go wrong.

When services are contracted out, surely there should be a system in place where they have to give notice before closing that service, leaving patients in the lurch and hospitals and health trusts frantically trying to pick up the pieces.

It is also hoped the midwives could get taken on, as there will most definitely be a need for them at the hospitals with all the extra women being taken on.

The issue isn’t resolved yet, but it seems like work is being done quickly for everyone.