Oswestry maternity services ‘must be retained’

And ahead of a protest march in the town on Sunday they have united to sound a no-nonsense message to health bosses that the maternity unit must be retained.

The move to close Oswestry, Ludlow and Bridgnorth midwife led maternity units for up to six months was taken by the board of Shrewsbury & Telford Hospitals NHS Trust (SATH) on Thursday last week.

SATH has said that a combination of short and long-term sickness, and “a significant fall in the number of midwives prepared to work overtime or temporary bank shifts to cover shifts at times of sickness” had made it difficult to fully staff its maternity sites.

All three units have seen temporary closures at short notice in recent months dues to staffing issues.

Deirdre Fowler, director of nursing, midwifery and quality at SATH, said that the demands on the consultant led unit at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital have meant more staff are needed at the hospital.

Councillor John Price said: “I think it is absolutely barbaric, it is ridiculous we think we can play God with people’s lives. I will be doing all I can as a councillor to safeguard our health services.”

Councillor Vince Hunt, who is also Oswestry’s mayor, said: “My blunt message to the health bosses is that we pay you, you work for us and we don’t want our children born on the side of the road because you can’t manage to staff a unit.”

Councillor Paul Milner said: “We were given reassurances this would not happen a few months ago, so to hear it could close for up to six months is hugely disappointing.”

Councillor Clare Aspinall said: “I fully back the Gobowen unit staying open – it is vital for this area.”

Campaigners have arranged for a protest march in Oswestry against the closure.

That will take place on Sunday with campaigners gathering on the Bailey Head in Oswestry at 10.30am.

They will walk to the maternity unit, which is based at Oswestry Orthopaedic Hospital.

The town’s Shropshire Councillors have backed the campaign and the fight to retain the unit.

Councillor John Price said: “I think it is absolutely barbaric, it is ridiculous we think we can play God with people’s lives. I will be doing all I can as a councillor to safeguard our health services.”

Councillor Vince Hunt, who is also Oswestry’s mayor, said: “My blunt message to the health bosses is that we pay you, you work for us and we don’t want our children born on the side of the road because you can’t manage to staff a unit or want to close one down.

“Keeping the midwife led unit at the orthopaedic hospital is absolutely critical, it is as simple as that.

“It is what people pay their taxes for.”

Councillor Paul Milner said: “We were given reassurances this would not happen a few months ago, so to hear it could close for up to six months is hugely disappointing.

“We are the second biggest town in Shropshire and we deserve to have a maternity unit close by, not everyone can travel to see a midwife.

“It isn’t just that, it is the after care provided at the unit. I would urge people to get behind this protest march to the unit, I will be there and I’ve got a meeting with Liz Grayston to finalise things.The protest in the park she held was very well attended, and it just shows how important the public support has been to this.

“There are thousands of people who are backing it and feel so strongly about it. I will be doing everything I can as a Shropshire Councillor to prevent this from happening, it is so important to our town.”

Councillor Clare Aspinall said: “I think the issue stems from staffing problems, and I don’t want to see the unit close, but I also want to see more consultants back in Shrewsbury.

“On a personal level my son was born there, but I fully back the Gobowen unit staying open, it is vital for this area. The after care for five days is what is important, and travelling to Telford for that is just too risky.

“A lot can change in labour and going all that way is far too risky, especially as we are not flush with motorways or dual carriageways. I fully back the march I think Liz Grayston is fantastic in organising it all and setting it up. We can’t afford to lose it, this needs to come to the forefront. The council has backed it, but this is a national issue for the NHS, but I fully support the march.”