Grieving parents launch charity
Updated on 29 October 2007
Grieving parents who blame NHS maternity unit cutbacks for their stillborn son's death have launched a charity in his memory, on what would have been his second birthday.
Andrew and Rachel Canter, from Welwyn, Herts, were driven to form the National Maternity Support Foundation (NMSF) after losing their son Jake in 2005.
Mrs Canter says she was turned away from her nearest maternity unit at Barnet Hospital in north London while in the late stages of labour because it was closed to new admissions.
She and her husband believe Jake died because of "unnecessary delays" in diverting to Chase Farm Hospital over six miles away.
The couple say this was a "direct result" of Government cutbacks and "continuing underinvestment" in maternity services.
Now the Canters have set up the NMSF to campaign against NHS maternity service cuts, support other prospective parents and promote further research into stillbirth and neonatal deaths.
The new charity has the backing of the Royal College of Midwives and the Canters' local Conservative MP, Grant Shapps.
Mr Shapps said: "The death of little Jake due to inadequate maternity provision should ring alarm bells for us all... with maternity units under threat throughout the health service, the prospect of similar tragedies was enough to compel the Canters to take action."
Mr Shapps added, "We have learned a great deal about the maternity services and the exceptional work that midwives undertake day-in day-out, and the increasing pressure they are under to deliver their vital services.
"We have taken the time to understand why stillbirth occurs and want to help reduce the number of people that are affected by this terrible occurrence everyday."
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