Parents and midwives meet health bosses
Mothers, midwives and members of the public attended a packed meeting in Ludlow to learn more about the future of midwifery services in the town.
Karen Higgins, of the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Fiona Ellis commissioner for Shropshire also attended the meeting, which was held at Rockspring Community Centre, on Monday.
It was one of a series being held around the county organised by Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Groups which will pass its findings to Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and will then be used to decide the fate of Shropshire’s Midwife Led Units (MLU).
Members of the public shared their views on the importance of maintaining the unit in the town.
Currently the units at Bridgnorth, Oswestry and Ludlow are closed.
The three centres closed in July, and would remain closed for six months, according to bosses.
Health officials said the closure was due to making sure Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital’s (PRH) consultant-led unit can be safely staffed.
At the meeting, it was pointed out by the public that national guidelines by NICE recommend Midwife Led Units for women with low risks as cheaper, safer and better places to give birth.
The Ludlow unit also offers in-patient post-natal care. Corrine Marbrow, a teaching assistant and mother of twins, said: “It gives you confidence to give birth, seeing other mums in the beds when you go in for ante-natal classes.”
Alison Hiles, mother of three young children, emphasised the importance of an MLU close to rural mums. She said post-natal care in Ludlow was, "wonderful" and added: "That time, you and your baby and midwife, if you’re struggling with breastfeeding, or sleep. That reassurance can save you from post-natal tears.”
The forced closure of the units has been blamed on staff sickness.
One midwife told the meeting that the working conditions within the unit had been made worse by staff sickness.
At the meeting, some of those present proposed an App to stay in close contact with their MLU.
Bridgnorth Councillor, Dr Julia Buckley, a mother of two, said: "No-one should have to risk their life because of cuts to rural services.
"Distance kills. Our rural birthing centres are recognised as national best practice."
The next workshops are tomorrow from 10am to 12.30pm at Festival Drayton Centre, Frogmore Rd, Market Drayton, TF9 3AX; Monday from 10am to 12.30pm at Park Lane Centre, Woodside, Telford, TF7 5QZ and Monday from 6.30pm to 9pm at The Wild Pig in Meole Brace, Shrewsbury SY3 9JT.
See http://www.shropshireccg.nhs.uk/community-workshops-registration-live
