THE lives of mothers and babies are being put at risk in a toxic maternity culture, a report has found.

Front-line midwives say working in NHS units was like a “warped game of Russian roulette” with harm or even death likely to happen at any time.

Maternity units often had less than half the number of people needed to operate safely and unqualified students were left to look after multiple women on postnatal and labour wards.

The report by the #Saynotobullyinginmidwifery campaign group included testimony from midwives who had witnessed babies harmed due to “unfathomable” working conditions.

Commenting on the report, a Royal College of Midwives spokesperson said: “Poor organisational culture has been identified as a key factor in recent investigations and reports on maternity safety.

"We know that maternity staff who feel supported and valued provide better care and when there is a positive working culture the quality of the care improves.

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“We also know midwives are working harder than ever before and services are under pressure – many of our members are facing burn out.

"Nurturing a positive work culture also means ensuring the health and wellbeing of maternity staff is being prioritised.

"Healthy, well-rested, and valued staff can deliver safer better care and in turn improve outcomes for women and their babies.”

An NHS England spokesperson added: "The NHS is committed to working closely with local trusts and partners to make necessary improvements so that we provide the best possible services for women, babies and their families and it is completely unacceptable for any member of staff to feel silenced or unable to speak about issues affecting them.

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"The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan sets out a need to grow midwifery education and training in line with the conclusions of the Ockenden review, and we continue to take action to strengthen maternity services across the country through £186million investment each year to grow the workforce, strengthen leadership and improve culture."

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