Obstetric anaesthetic services in Scotland in 1982.

A recent survey of Scottish obstetric anaesthesia practice revealed that the majority of deliveries take place in the larger hospitals; these also have the highest epidural rates, both for relief of pain in labour and for Caesarean section. However, as epidural blockade is an essential part of modern obstetric practice, it is a matter of concern to achieve an equal standard in the medium-sized hospitals, whilst accepting that special arrangements are required in the very small obstetric hospitals.