Downgrading of Shropshire maternity units feared

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust's board have suggested the Ludlow maternity unit, along with those at Bridgnorth and Oswestry, could become reduced-hours "birthing centres" to save on costs.

It comes as mothers carrying banners and babies were poised to take to the streets in support of Ludlow's maternity unit today.

Road closures were in place throughout Ludlow town centre as protesters were due to call for assurances over the future of the town's midwife-led unit at the community hospital on Gravel Hill.

Supporters said the march was more important than ever as there was still no guarantee it would be funded beyond April next year.

While the move may help retain maternity services in Ludlow, some objectors have said it would be unworkable and the "beginning of the end" for rural services outside of Shrewsbury and Telford.

Speaking ahead of today's march, Gill George of umbrella campaign group Shropshire Defend Our NHS, said there was no absolute assurance over the future of maternity in Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Oswestry at SaTH's board meeting on Thursday.

She said: "On maternity, we clearly still have a fight ahead of us. Today's demonstration is very important."

Mother and campaign organiser Alison Hiles, of Save Ludlow Maternity Unit, said she south Shropshire mothers and supporter would "come together as a community to show support for our wonderful midwives and the fabulous work they do.

"We need as many people as possible to show that we won't be messed with. We want to keep our maternity unit and our hospital."

Marchers were set to gather in Castle Square at noon, with rolling road closures from then until 1.30pm, starting with King Street and ending with Gravel Hill.

Speaking at Thursday's meeting, Simon Wright, chief executive of Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust, reiterated that he could not give a definitive answer over the future of Ludlow's maternity unit as it could not be taken in isolation from other services, and everything had to be looked at together.

At the same meeting cost cutting plans were agreed that included the conversion of the units at Ludlow, Oswestry and Bridgnorth into "birthing centres"

Sarah Bloomfield, director of nursing and quality at SaTH, said: "Birthing centres maintain the full range of services offered by midwife-led units but do not remain open overnight instead operating on an on-call system. Therefore women can still chose to give birth locally and are met at the birthing centre by the midwifery team where they are supported to give birth and then return home after their immediate postnatal care is complete and when it is safe to do so."

However, Tracey Huffer, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow East and a practising nurse, said she was concerned about the plans.

She said: "I really fear that this is the first step in making Shropshire's three midwife-led units an appointment only service, all day long.

"I worry that the changes will threaten antenatal and postnatal services in Ludlow."