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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Denis Campbell Health policy editor

Rising numbers of younger midwives quitting NHS in England, data shows

NHS England DHSC RCM
A medical worker in scrubs walks along the corridor of a hospital
During 2025-26 a total of 1,669 midwives aged 34 or under left the health service in England – more than half of the 2,949 midwives of all ages who resigned. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA

More and more midwives are leaving the NHS before they reach 35 because of burnout, worsening the staffing problems that are affecting maternity units.

The growing trend of early career quitting has sparked fears it poses a threat to the quality and safety of care that mothers and babies receive from already-understaffed childbirth services.

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