Antenatal screening provision varies across the regions of the UK, with evidence of inequality of access, quality and auditing. In line with the era of clinical governance, this government has proposed an innovative structured programme to address these issues. The National Screening Committee and National Institute for Clinical Excellence are formulating evidence-based guidelines with the objective being a national coordinated approach to antenatal screening services.

No abstract

The first decade of the 21st century is bringing increased responsibilities for all in health care, and in particular for midwives as the principal providers of maternity services in the NHS. An increased awareness of problems challenge traditional roles and methods of thinking, and make education, training and governance increasingly important. These place ever more demands on the providers of maternity care.