Moved by
Baroness Burt of Solihull
209: After Clause 124, insert the following new Clause—
“Maternity services in prisons
(1) The Secretary of State must provide appropriate midwifery care within the female prison estate.
(2) “Appropriate midwifery care” means—
(a) midwifery care that is appropriate to a custodial setting;
(b) maternity services that are suitably resourced to provide—
(i) an appropriately qualified midwifery lead in each prison to oversee all aspects of perinatal care;
(ii) a maternity pathway for prisoners that includes a process for women who decline to engage with services;
(iii) access for prisoners to psychological and psychiatric services;
(iv) training for staff in trauma-informed care;
(v) training for staff in neonatal and child resuscitation procedures; and
(vi) appropriate emergency equipment for children and neonates.
(3) The Secretary of State may provide guidance on how to respond to births in prison.”
Member’s explanatory statement
This amendment builds on recommendations from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman investigation into the death of Baby A at HMP Bronzefield to ensure there are appropriate maternity services in the female prison estate.