If ever there was a year to feel dispirited about working in the NHS, surely this one takes some beating

Dame Lorna Muirhead, RCM president

Midwives say staff shortages mean they are unable to provide the necessary level of care to mothers.

And they say low morale is leading to many midwives leaving the NHS.

Dame Lorna added: "How can a midwife who feels unsupported, overworked and stressed be expected to zip on a happy smile and function to maximum efficiency, when she next walks into a delivery room, or when she visits the family in their home.

"Midwives have to feel supported and valued, so that they in turn can support women and children in their care."

She called for action to improvements to working conditions and to training and development.

Direct action debate

Around 800 midwives attending the meeting will debate the motion from the Liverpool RCM branch on taking direct action.

A spokesperson for the RCM said: "The motion on industrial action will debate whether we need to put more pressure on the government over the issue of unsafe working practices.

"Women need one-to-one continuity of care with a midwife before, during and after the birth - not someone who is having to dash between three different units and leave them on their own during labour".

Midwives say the shortage means many have to work double shifts to provide cover.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn will outline the government's plans to improve maternity care in a speech to the conference on Wednesday.

The RCM said the government admitted the NHS needed 44% more midwives by 2010. There are currently 36,000 working in the health service.

Midwives at the conference are also set to call for a comprehensive NHS home birth service for those women who want to have their baby at home.

The conference will also debate the increased use of epidural pain-relief injections.