Obstetric flying squad service-a defence.

Eighty-one calls made by the obstetric flying squad in West Berkshire were assessed on the basis of a suggestion that patients would do as well, if not better, if they were brought straight to hospital by ambulance rather than await the arrival of the flying squad. Of the 81 calls, 36 were made to general-practitioner maternity units and 45 were made to patients' homes. In both groups, the flying squad service was considered to be still of great value. Though slightly slower than an emergency ambulance call, it represents a much safer method of transporting an obstetric patient in an emergency.