The date for a UK company to come to the island to train local midwives in home births cannot be confirmed until DFDS publishes its final ferry timetables, it has emerged.
Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell – who has responsibility for women’s health matters – told the States Assembly last week that plans are in place for 40 local midwives to be trained by a UK company before the home birth service can be reinstated.
She said that the “very highly thought of training service” – which has not yet been publicly named – was due to come to the island in April or May 2025.
But it has now emerged that the exact date cannot be confirmed until DFDS publishes its final ferry timetables, which are due to go on sale on 31 January.
A report due to be presented to the Health Advisory Board meeting this week said: “A full review of the home birth service has commenced and we have procured a bespoke training programme for midwives to attend, awaiting confirmation of date as the training is being provided by a UK company and they require to book the ferry to come to Jersey and the timetable has not been published for the period they are able to provide the training.
“Our Chief Officer is kept up to date with the review.”
The Health Department suspended the home birth service in October to carry out an internal review of protocols, staff training, and resources, as first reported by Express.
Deputy Howell explained: “We very much regret the temporary pause to the home birthing system service.
“However, because we do not have enough trained midwives, we have been advised by the Director of Midwifery and Nursing that the service has to cease temporarily.
“We have an obligation to support her expert professional opinion. This is to ensure that our maternity service is safe for our mums.
“There will be no exceptions.”
The Assistant Minister added that the department had recently faced “the retirement of some very experienced midwives”.
Deputy Howell confirmed that the outcome of the review of the home birth service is due by the end of June at the earliest.
She explained: “The plan is to reintroduce the home birthing service when all the staff have been appropriately trained, any recommendations to the review have been implemented, and it is deemed safe to do so.
“In the meantime, all women have been offered to care and support for the delivery of their babies within the maternity unit at the General Hospital.”
Express has asked the Government to confirm the name of the training firm, and the cost of the training being provided to Jersey midwives.
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