# Rise in NHS birth centre closures ‘shocking’ denial of women’s rights, experts say

- Source: Guardian World
- Published: 2026-11-07T17:00:16+00:00
- Category: World
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/nov/07/nhs-birth-centre-maternity-unit-closures-england-womens-rights
- Canonical: https://groundlevelnews.com/story/rise-in-nhs-birth-centre-closures-shocking-denial-of-women-s-rights-ex-535193/

Twelve midwife-led maternity units have closed in England since 2019 with six closing since Labour came to power in 2024 NHS officials are shutting growing numbers of birth centres in a “shocking” denial of a woman’s right to have a midwife rather than a doctor oversee their baby’s birth, say campaigners. Twelve birth centres – midwife-led maternity units – have closed in England since 2019. Birth

_Ground Level News shows a short summary only; the full article and all rights belong to Guardian World._