Maternity crisis looms over tide of retiring staff: Third of midwives are aged over 50 as Royal College say an extra 3,500 are needed to cope

Maternity crisis looms over tide of retiring staff: Third of midwives are aged over 50 as Royal College say an extra 3,500 are needed to cope Maternity services are on the brink of a crisis because so many midwives are approaching retirement, healthcare leaders warn.

A third of midwives in England are over the age of 50, around 7,200 in total, including 1,000 who are over 60.

The Royal College of Midwives also says the country needs an extra 3,500 professionals to cope with the rising birthrate. The Daily Mail