Health Division issues instructions for induced labour ‘only when necessary’

High numbers have put pressure on midwives and nurses as well as on labour ward occupancy levels. Two doctors who appeared to schedule the highest number of induced births were identified and had their shifts changed, according to The Malta Independent on Sunday.

A register has also been established, where doctors planning induced births and Caesarean section operations will need to book patients prior to patients being given the go-ahead.

The MUMN warned it would resort to industrial action if the Health Division failed to do something to stop doctors involved in the practice.

The same newspaper reported that on certain days, as many as 15 women are scheduled for induced deliveries, without the possibility of emergency cases being taken into consideration. This, the MUMN concedes, is putting unnecessary pressure on staff, who are being forced to use other rooms not intended as delivery suites.

MUMN president Paul Pace, when asked whether the new measures would yield results, said “We will have to wait and see.”

Pace has said the maternity ward at Mater Dei Hospital is  under pressure because of doctors inducing labour unnecessarily, in response to a statement from the health ministry that lack of bed space was due to a seasonal increase in births.  

Though Pace said he agreed that in some instances inducing labour was medically necessary, he said there are no official standards and procedures that have to be adhered to, resulting in doctors abusing the system and inducing birth unnecessarily.

“We are having to deliver babies in rooms that are not set up as delivery suites, putting both the mother and child at risk. In the event where something goes wrong and a mother is lost the responsibility ultimately lies with the midwife. The hospital is accommodating consultants and not patients.”

Head of Paediatrics at Mater Dei Hospital, Professor Simon Attard Montalto however said that doctors only induce labour if there is a medical reason to do so. "But I do agree that Malta has the highest rate of induced labour and resulting Caesearian deliveries in Europe and this merits discussion. But the union's intervention is not the right way forward."