To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether an assessment has been made of the impact of payment by results on (a) the number of home births, (b) the number of caesarean sections and (c) the national choice guarantees made in her Department's Maternity Matters strategy for maternity services as referred to in the answer of 18 April 20006, Official Report, column 230W, on maternity services. (143558)

There has been no formal assessment to date of the impact of payment by results on the number of home births, caesarean sections or national choice guarantees made in the Maternity Matters strategy.

However, the Maternity Matters strategy makes clear that a tariff for home births is needed to support the national choice guarantees. Both ‘Maternity Matters and the Options for the Future of Payment by Results: 2008-09 to 2010-11’ consultation document, published on 15 March 2007, commit the Government to achieving this. Clinical experts are also being consulted to ensure that payment by results pays a price that more appropriately reflects costs in maternity services.

Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Library.