NEW mums and babies are being put at risk due to a lack of midwives, staff at the Royal Bolton Hospital claim.

Unison, the union which represents hospital staff, fears for the safety of women and their newborn babies and has called the situation a “volcano ready to erupt”.

But hospital bosses last night denied safety was being compromised and said more midwives were being recruited.

The union’s claims come as the hospital prepares to become a supercentre for the care of women, children and babies.

Under the Making it Better scheme, £20 million is being invested in improving maternity, neonatal and paediatric services.

The regional centre of excellence will open later this year with the hospital taking on patients from Bury and Salford.

One midwife on the Princess Anne Maternity Unit, who did not wish to be named, said: “Staffing on all areas could be better but it’s the postnatal wards that are really short-staffed.

“There is one midwife on each ward at night if we are lucky, looking after up to 17 women and babies. Sometimes there is one midwife for both wards. It is very dangerous and not manageable at all.

Changes need to happen.

“We are taking on new midwives from the units that close so we were told the situation will improve. How this is going to happen when we are also taking all their pregnant women I’ve no idea.”

Joyce Robinson, vicechairman of Unison, added: “It is across the maternity unit—staff are struggling and are worried.

“It is dangerous. When any woman comes in to have a child, whether it’s their first or 10th, they shouldn’t be at risk.

There are simply not enough midwives and it’s a volcano ready to erupt.

“I have raised their concerns, but they have been brushed off. The trust just says it has enough staff.”

Sue Anderton, head of midwifery at the hospital, said: “Although there are times when we are very busy, the staffing levels at the Princess Anne Maternity Unit are safe.

“We are increasing the number of midwifery staff and have recently recruited 12 midwives as part of the Making It Better programme. They will be in post shortly.

Further staff will be transferring to Bolton later in the year.”

Mary Rooney, regional officer for the Royal College of Midwives, said: “Post-natal care is a key element of care, it’s extremely important.

“Emergencies occur, like haemorrhages. There is the potential for things to go wrong. It’s about checking there are no problems.”

A spokesman for parental support charity The National Childbirth Trust said: “Post-natal care is so important; if not resolved physical and psychological problems can have an impact on the woman’s quality of life and relationship with her baby.

“If care is not provided properly, there can be serious consequences.”