Minister outlines plan to create midwife jobs in visit to Telford

He was attending the Royal College of Midwives annual conference at the Telford International Centre, where he spoke about midwives' wages and paid tribute to the work they do.

He was among a number of speakers at the two-day conference, which continues tomorrow.

Dr Poulter told hundreds of midwives and students that the Government was taking steps to provide jobs for midwives.

He said: "What we must remember is the NHS is the envy of the rest of the world and the care midwives provide in maternity units is the jewel in that crown.

"Previously, midwives would train here and then move to Australia or New Zealand and that is not acceptable.

"Now, 75 per cent of people who qualify as midwives are found jobs local to them within three to four months."

His speech comes as the RCM announced a survey that showed a quarter of maternity specialists were thinking about quitting as a baby-boom takes hold in Britain.

Dr Poulter said: "I think seven or eight years ago that figure would have been three in four instead of one in four."

He also highlighted the need for better provision for women suffering from mental health issues, not solely suffering from post-natal depression but also substance abuse and drug use.

"We also need to ensure we provide more holistic support in birthing units with a special support for mental health," he added.

He said he aims to have someone trained in mental health at every birthing unit in the country by 2017.

Andy Burnham, Shadow Secretary for Health, also spoke at the conference this afternoon.

Meanwhile a Royal College of Nursing report claimed more than one in 20 nursing posts are vacant.

It said the NHS in England was potentially operating on nearly 20,000 fewer full-time staff than planned.

The RCN produced the figures after Freedom of Information requests.