POORER women are less likely to receive care during pregnancy than richer women, researchers from Oxford University have said.

A study of more than 5,300 women in England found that the most deprived women were 60 per cent less likely to have received any antenatal care.

They were also 38 per cent less likely to have been seen by a health worker in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Louise Silverton, director for midwifery for the Royal College of Midwives, said: "The challenge is that this group of women are the same women who do not have a voice, unlike a lot of women we see in our clinics.

“This group ask for little and get little, often because they do not know what services are available.”

She added: “Ideally, socially disadvantaged women need longer antenatal and postnatal appointments than are currently available. We need more midwives to address these challenges and provide continuity of care.’’ A Department of Health spokesman said: “All women should receive the best possible care during their pregnancy, regardless of their circumstances.

“Since 2010 we have introduced 1,700 more midwives, with 6,000 more in training and we are also making sure every woman has a named midwife to ensure personalised care throughout pregnancy.’’

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