The Medical Association (MAM) said this evening that it would be a great disservice to expectant woman if current principles in Obstetrics care were brushed aside and patients exposed to risks which could and should be avoided.

The association was reacting to a statement by the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses which had complained of a high percentage of induced births.

The doctors' union said that Obstetricians were refuting all allegations which had been made.

"Furthermore they reaffirm their commitment to pursue the principles of modern day obstetrics. This practice has led the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology to have an enviable record in terms of neonatal and maternal mortality and morbidity rates.

"It would be a great disservice to our expectant women if these principles are brushed aside and the patients exposed to risks which can and should be avoided."

The nurses’ union had claimed that the absence of policy or guidelines for elective induction of births meant some doctors were abusing the system.

This meant that the labour wards, which had a limited number of beds, could not cope with the large number of mothers being admitted. Mothers were sometimes giving birth in treatment rooms, wards or even in corridors.

MUMN President Paul Pace said the abuse of the system was evident from three things: first, the fact that Malta had the highest number of inductions in the EU; second, because of the discrepancy in the numbers of inductions between consultants; and third, when midwives questioned whether an induction was necessary, the patient would invent a reason, seemingly on doctors’ instructions.

In an initial reaction, the Health Department maintained that at this time of the year it was normal to see an increase in births, which had nothing to do with bed shortages or doctors’ practices.

“Consultant’s decisions are taken to safeguard the interests of the patients and the Health Division respects their clinical judgment,” the department said.

However a newspaper also reported today that the Health Division had issued instructions that labour was to be induced only when necessary. A register has been established in which doctors planning induced labour and Caesarean section procedures will now need to book patients before being giving the go-ahead.