Reintroduction of the home birth service

2025.11.25

3.4   Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the reintroduction of the home birth service (OQ.257/2025):

Will the Minister provide an update on the reintroduction of the home birth service and advise when this will be operational again?

Deputy T.J.A. Binet of St. Saviour (The Minister for Health and Social Services):

I wonder if the Deputy would be kind enough to allow the Assistant Minister to answer that question, Sir.

The Bailiff :

All right. Yes.

Deputy A. Howell (Assistant Minister for Health and Social Services - rapporteur):

The home birth service, initially paused in November 2024, will remain suspended while the Jersey Maternity Unit undertakes a comprehensive and systemic review of its safety, governance and operational arrangements.

[10:45]

This continued pause is a direct consequence of the Prevention of Future Death Order issued at the start of November following the inquest into the recent tragic home birth case in Manchester where both mother and baby died.

1. Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson :

Sorry, I am just taking that information in and perhaps my question would change slightly. Could I ask the Assistant Minister to just explain that a little bit more please? Is that a new review on top of the review that has just happened and concluded a number of months ago? We seem to be in a bit of a limbo with where that service was going. Anyway, is there something that is being carried out by trusts across the U.K. as a result of that? I would just like a bit more information please.

Deputy A. Howell :

This report was released on 5th November, so it is very recent. But because of the tragic death of the mother and the baby it is now the Coroner has decreed that this has to be a nationwide look at home births and safety. Until all of the review is carried out by Jersey in relation to this, we cannot restart the service.

2. Deputy J. Renouf of St. Brelade :

I wonder if the Minister would be prepared to put some timeline on that. I think the concern that Members have, certainly that I have, is that we have been reviewing the home birth service for a very long time. There have been problems raised around one set of things to do with the qualifications of nurses, then there were qualifications to do with ambulance staff. I just feel like it would be helpful to know when the Minister thinks this will be resolved.

Deputy A. Howell :

I very much regret that I cannot give a date. This is on top of the work that has been carried out and this is really serious. We have to have a safe service. I cannot give any date at all, I am afraid to say.

3. Deputy J. Renouf :

I completely accept the need for safe service but the language is different to that which is used to do with other things, which the Minister for Health and Social Services is doing. The Minister for Health and Social Services is committed to assisted dying and has made absolutely sure that that is pushed through within a timeframe that he is comfortable with. He is also committed to a Partnership Board and he has been determined to push that through. I wonder if the Minister would say whether there is exactly the level of determination to reinstate a home birth service as there is to do with those other favoured activity.

Deputy A. Howell :

Any service that is provided has to be safe, and that is the only consideration that I am able to give. It will be a clinically-led decision and I am just a mere politician; I cannot give a timeframe.

4. Deputy K.L. Moore of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter :

The Assistant Minister suggested in an earlier answer that the decision to not restart the home birth service was taken as a result of a Coroner's indication to all health services across the British Isles. Could the Assistant Minister outline to the Assembly whether every jurisdiction and area across the British Isles has taken the same action to withdraw a home birth service as a result of this Coroner's report?

Deputy A. Howell :

I am afraid I cannot answer for every jurisdiction in the U.K. But I can answer for Jersey, and Jersey will be absolutely following what the Coroner has recommended. I can give the report that I have printed out this morning to the Deputy , if she would like to, and anybody else.

5. Deputy K.L. Moore :

It would be helpful if the Assistant Minister would share the report with Members, I think. But also perhaps the advice that has been issued to health services across the British Isles proposing action as a result of that report.

Deputy A. Howell :

I am very happy to do that.

Deputy M. Tadier :

My question has been asked, Sir.

6. Deputy L.M.C. Doublet of St. Saviour :

Please, could the Assistant Minister advise who is it, individual or body in Jersey, who, ultimately, determines whether a service is safe at the point of delivery?

Deputy A. Howell :

I believe it is the director of midwifery and the chief nurse of the hospital and the chief officer.

7. Deputy L.M.C. Doublet :

I thank the Assistant Minister for her response. Given the fact that there has been a lengthy ongoing review into the safety of this service, should Jersey not be further ahead in this process in terms of assuring that safety? Could the Minister look into this and come back to the Assembly with a date whereby that service will be reinstated, please?

Deputy A. Howell :

I very much regret that I cannot give a date.

8. Deputy L.K.F. Stephenson :

Women in Jersey have now been denied access to home birth for over a year. This prolonged suspension does not align with the Nursing and Midwifery Council's published principles to support person-centred care for women and babies. That guidance specifically outlines that women's views, choices and preferences are at the heart of maternity care and says that home birth options should be provided. Does the Minister consider the current situation to be good enough and, if not, what is the Minister and the team doing to prioritise the reintroduction of this important service?

Deputy A. Howell :

I do think we have a really excellent maternity service. I agree that perhaps women at the moment are not given every choice. But my priority is safety for our mothers and our babies.