About 4000 more midwives needed to provide home births

The general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives has spoken out against what she says is a "concerted and calculated backlash" against home birth and midwife-led care.

In a New Year's message, Cathy Warwick said that maternity services were "stretched and almost near breaking point".

She told the BBC she believes "women should be able to make an informed choice" on whether to have a home birth, but more midwives are needed to make that happen.