MORE babies were delivered through caesareans in Dorset last year than ever before, figures reveal.

NHS England recently told hospitals to stop using caesarean section rates as performance targets as they might be "clinically inappropriate and unsafe" for patients – though these figures pre-date the move.

Of the 760 births recorded in Dorset in 2020-21 in Office for Health Improvement and Disparities figures, 32% were delivered by C-section.

That was up from 29.4% the year before, and the highest rate since records began in 2014-15.

Across England, 32.5% of births in England in 2020-21 were delivered by caesarean section – up from 30.1% in 2019-20.

This rate was also a record high.

Read more: Sea Hives installed at Weymouth Harbour to establish new ecosystems

The figures also show huge disparity in rates between local areas – from as high as 39.8% in Thurrock, in the East of England, to just 24.9% in Telford and Wrekin, in the West Midlands.

A recent review of failings at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust – which is the main provider of services for Telford and Wrekin – found some mothers were made to have natural births when they should have been offered a caesarean.

The review found that around 200 babies and nine mothers could have survived if it had provided better care while the trust aimed to preserve its low caesarean rate.

Following the Government's recommendation, NHS England told all maternity services to stop using total caesarean section rates as a means of performance management earlier this year.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said it welcomed the decision from NHS England, as caesarean birth targets are "not appropriate in individual circumstances".

Read more: Dorsetshire Regiment World War I Private found to be member of the Peaky Blinders

Dr Teresa Kelly, consultant obstetrician and spokesperson for RCOG, said the national increase is due to a higher number of complex births – partly caused by the rises in both obesity rates and the average age of women giving birth.

She said both vaginal and caesarean births carry certain benefits and risks, but that a woman's informed choice should always be respected and supported.

Dr Kelly added: “Childbirth is unpredictable and complications can and do arise.

"The safety and care of women during labour and birth and the safe arrival of their babies should always be the main focus, and medical intervention in some cases can be lifesaving."

The Royal College of Midwives said it is important women have personalised care, and a pregnancy and birth that is right for them.

Birte Harlev-Lam, executive director at RCM, added: “Decisions about clinical care should not be dictated by targets and should be made in the best interests of the woman and her baby, in collaboration with the woman."

Separate figures from the OHID also show that the fertility rate in England has fallen to the lowest level on record.

The general fertility rate – measured by the number of babies born for every 1,000 females aged between 15 and 44 – fell to just 55.3 in 2020, the latest figures available.

In Dorset, the rate was 51.5 in 2020 – down from 53.8 in 2019.