HUNDREDS of pregnant women across Essex have been left in the lurch after a private midwifery company pulled the plug on its NHS contract with just a few days notice.

One to One Midwives told mums-to-be yesterday it would be ceasing operations in Essex from tomorrow.

Patients were told they will need to find alternative NHS midwifery services.

Dawn Norton, who is 34 weeks pregnant with her seventh child, was contacted by the firm.

She said: “I have spoken to quite a few people and we have all now got to do an NHS referral. We have all been left without midwives.

“I have been told a referral could take a couple of weeks. Some people might not be referred in time. One woman is due to have her baby on Wednesday, she has no idea what to do.

“This is my seventh child so I am a bit more in the loop but there are first time mums who have now lost their midwives.”

One to One Midwives works with the NHS and promises a “personalised service” for expectant mums and their families.

The company’s Wikipedia page has been updated claiming staff were only told the firm would stop trading within 48 hours and they would lose their jobs.

The firm is based in north west England but provides services to in the Colchester and Clacton areas.

The North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group was due to assess the arrangement from March next year.

The news raises questions about its contracts with private companies.

Just two months ago, Concordia Specialist Care Services ended its dermatology contract with the clinical commissioning group with less than one week’s notice.

Sam Older, Unison Eastern regional organiser, said: “It appears that, yet again, a private company has realised it can’t squeeze enough money out of the NHS so has decided to up sticks and leave.

“As always, it’s the patients and public that will pay the price and we hope commissioners can act swiftly to assure expectant parents they’ll still get the help they need during pregnancy and beyond.”

“But the surest way to stop a repeat of this crisis is to end this secretive privatisation of our community health services and ensure the NHS has the resources it needs to provide the full and comprehensive healthcare the people of Essex want and need.”

Tina McKay, Labour Parliamentary candidate for Colchester, said: “Women have the right to expect safe, reliable and consistent services for themselves and their babies.

“A service that runs for profit will never be the consistent and reliable service we need because the bottom line will always come first.”