The number of midwifery training places is dropping despite the Prime Minister's promise to recruit 3,000 more midwives, say researchers.
Six out of 10 strategic health authorities (SHAs) in England are cutting their midwifery training places for 2011/12 compared to the previous year, analysis by the Nursing Standard shows.
Cathy Warwick, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), described the figures as 'extremely worrying'.
The West Midlands SHA area plans to slash posts by almost 17 per cent, while the North East will drop by nearly six per cent.
In the East of England, posts are expected to fall by 12 per cent and by more than four per cent in the East Midlands.
The South West is expected to cut training places by nine per cent while Yorkshire and the Humber will see a fall of just over two per cent.
