Parliament to tackle critical maternity care staff shortages amid rising delivery stops
Families across the Netherlands face disruptions in maternity care due to severe staff shortages, forcing hospitals to halt deliveries and reduce postpartum support. Today’s parliamentary debate will address urgent solutions to protect vulnerable newborns and mothers.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Issue | Staff shortages in maternity care leading to delivery stops and reduced care |
| Impact | Women and newborns receive less or no postpartum care than intended |
| Debate Date | April 2, 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 PM (live via Debat Direct) |
| Minister Present | Sophie Hermans (Health, Welfare and Sport) |
| Trigger for Debate | Dutch Healthcare Inspectorate (IGJ) report (2025) highlighting major risks |
| IGJ Study Period | 2023–2024 |
| Regions Examined | Nine midwifery collaboration networks across the Netherlands |
| Key Stakeholders | Midwives, gynecologists, maternity nurses |
The Dutch House of Representatives oversees healthcare policy and holds debates to address systemic issues, such as staff shortages in maternity care. The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport is responsible for implementing solutions to ensure safe and accessible care for all citizens.
Read the full translated article below
Debate on staff shortages in maternity care
Due to staff shortages in maternity care, hospitals are increasingly implementing "delivery stops." Women are also sometimes receiving less maternity care than intended, or none at all. On Thursday, April 2, the House of Representatives will debate this staffing shortage. You can follow the debate from 3:00 PM via Debat Direct.
Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport Sophie Hermans will attend the debate.
Major risk
The debate was requested in November 2025 by Mirjam Bikker (ChristenUnie), shortly after the Dutch Healthcare Inspectorate (IGJ) reported that staff shortages pose a major risk to maternity care. "This means that vulnerable families start off with a significant disadvantage from the very beginning, with all the consequences that entails," the MP said. She wants to discuss "the staff shortages and how we can ensure that a solution is found as quickly as possible for the areas where the problem is most acute."
IGJ conclusions
The IGJ drew its conclusions after examining nine midwifery collaboration networks in 2023 and 2024. These networks involve collaboration between various healthcare providers involved in pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, including midwives, gynecologists, and maternity nurses. These partnerships make agreements on improving the quality of maternity care in a region.
Follow live, read more and watch again
- Follow the debate live from 3:00 PM via Debat Direct. You can also watch it again later via this link.
- After the meeting, you can also read the debate summary.