Strategic planning of obstetric services: the United Kingdom way.
From 1944 when the first British Report on a National Maternity Service was published until 1989 there have been seven publications on the Maternity Services. Against this background the Shearman Report is described in comparison with its British counterparts. There has however been much debate in the UK since 1989 with a redesign of the National Health Service. A sub committee of the House of Commons (Winterton) advocated major changes in maternity services and the Government responded with a detailed critique announcing the appointment of an Expert Maternity Group (Cumberlege) which has just published its recommendations for widespread consultation. The three Royal Colleges have published a joint report and in the next year Government policy will be published. Scotland however has developed an independent view and has progressed further an analysis and rational planning. The fate of the Shearman report will be awaited with interest.
Cooke
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Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sheffield, Jessop Hospital for Women, United Kingdom.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D006113:United Kingdom