PREGNANT women could be at risk because of bed cuts at East Lancashire's hospitals, a midwives' union has warned.

The Royal College of Midwives said cash-saving cuts will further push an "overstretched workforce" and warned that safety may well be compromised.

In a letter to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust it said on the job training for student midwives was "effectively wasted" as they were then not offered a job.

This risked a severe shortage of midwives within the next 10 years, it said.

A hospital boss today rebuffed some of the claims and said the safe delivery of care was a top priority.

The Trust is to slash more than 20 per cent (267) overnight beds by next April to save £2.5million. This will rise to a third of all beds by 2009.

Up to 250 employees will have to do another job because their posts will be made obsolete by the cuts.

The letter said the loss of nine maternity beds at Royal Blackburn Hospital and five at the Edith Watson Unit at Burnley General "will result in an increased workload to an already overstretched workforce."

It added: "(The workforce) in the past has provided goodwill to keep the service running at a safe level. Safety may well be compromised with the reduction of posts."

It also said readmission rates for both mothers and babies would increase because of early discharge home and the cuts raised the possibility of bed shortages.

This could see them placed on general wards where general nurses "cannot care for a pregnant woman or baby," it added.

The changes meant the delivery suite co-ordinator's title was in "jeopardy," it said.

The letter said it was of equal concern that time and effort to train student midwives was effectively wasted, as the Trust would not offer them employment.

It said these students would leave the profession and there will be a severe shortage of midwives in the next five to ten years in East Lancashire.

Carol Boothman, service manager for midwifery at the Trust, admitted the department was in a critical time but said: "Our main priority is the welfare and safety of the mothers and babies under our care.

"A number of risk assessments were undertaken and measures put in place to reduce any possible risks presented by a reduction in beds."

A co-ordinator who "carries accountability and responsibility for overseeing the care of women in labour" was in place and would continue to be, she said.

She added: "Pregnant women will not be cared for by general registered nurses, as clearly, this role falls outside their professional remit".