Women's Decision-Making And Factors Affecting Their Choice Of ...

discerning of women's desire for continuity of care and carer throughout
pregnancy and childbirth.
The government responded to the specific recommendations and
conclusions of the Winterton report, and set about addressing wider issues in the
organisation of maternity care. A report of the government's response was
published (Department of Health 1992). A departmental task force was
established, which set up a number of studies to address issues such as team
midwifery (Wraight, Ball, Seccombe et al 1993) and midwifery-led and GP-led
units (Department of Health 1993a). Of more relevance to the present discussion,
the Expert Maternity Group was set up to review policy on NHS maternity care,
particularly during childbirth, and to make recommendations. The work of the
Expert Maternity Group, also known as the Cumberlege committee, will be
discussed next.
The Cumberlege Report (1993)
The Cumberlege Report, commonly known as Changing Childbirth,
(Department of Health 1993b) is a result of work done by the Expert Maternity
Group that was established in October 1992 under the chairmanship of Lady
Cumberlege, Parliament Under Secretary of State for Health. The members of the
committee included women using NHS services, professionals providing the
service such as a Midwife, General Practitioner, Obstetrician, Paediatrician,
Midwifery professor as well as other members of the public such as a National
Childbirth Trust representative, a journalist, and a management consultant. The
report is considered a document for change, while the Winterton report (House of
Commons Health Committee 1992) mapped the future of maternity services.
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