Concern over lack of data on elective C-sections

Concerns have been raised at a scrutiny hearing about a decision to stop gathering data on elective Caesarean sections

Guernsey's health watchdog has said it is concerned the States is no longer recording the number of elective Caesarean sections.

Carewatch chairwoman Bella Farrell, a former midwife, said was "important data to collect".

States of Guernsey medical director Dr Peter Rabey said the committee stopped recording the statistics "because evidence showed it was a valid choice for mothers to make".

He said the decision followed "findings in the UK".

'Informed choice'

Before the decision was made to stop recording statistics, Dr Rabey said Health and Social Care did all it could to drive C-section rates down.

He told a scrutiny panel there was a high rate of C-sections on the island because the maternity unit at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital was far from the operating theatre.

"We are not well placed to deliver a baby very quickly," he said.

Dr Rabey said elective C-sections had become very popular with mothers.

"They get all the information to make an informed choice," he said.

Ms Farrell said the watchdog would be asking HSC for more information on why it stopped gathering data on elective C-sections.

She added it was “worrying they're not exploring home births” following a decision in 2022 to scrap the midwife supported service.