GOVERNMENT bosses have been accused by a North Yorkshire MP of putting jobs at risk and misleading expectant mothers over new maternity proposals.

Anne McIntosh, Tory MP for the Vale of York, has responded to the nationwide document Maternity Matters: Choice, Access And Continuity In A Safe Service and a public consultation on maternity services in north east Yorkshire.

There has been a long-running campaign to save the maternity unit at Malton Hospital from closure. Ms McIntosh said: "On a private visit to Malton maternity unit I was greatly impressed, not just by the facility, but especially by the dedicated specialist nurses working there. In my response to both consultations, I highlight the need for choice and safety, and particularly my support to maintain maternity services in Malton."

She added: "Patricia Hewitt (Health Secretary) pledges that from 2009 women could either go to hospital, use a midwife-led unit, or stay at home to have their children delivered. I am alarmed that this is misleading for expectant mothers, and could leave 400 midwives without a job.

"This announcement has been made in spite of the shortage of midwives, or that ante-natal classes are being cut, or that Labour are divided over threatened maternity unit closures.

"The number of full-time midwives has increased by only five per cent since 1997, despite the NHS budget roughly doubling. Too little money has reached frontline services. In the last year, the headcount number of midwives in the NHS actually fell, while the Royal College Of Midwives is highlighting under-staffing and cuts. Without enough midwives, Labour will leave women facing a maternity lottery for the best support.

"At the heart of my response is the fact that there should be an effective and workable balance between choice for the expectant mother as to where to give birth in the event of late, life-threatening complications, and ensuring a safe delivery for her and her child."