Uncertainty on maternity must end, says Shropshire campaigner

Maternity units in Oswestry, Ludlow, and Bridgnorth have been subject to temporary closures numerous times over the last year.

A proposal to change services could end mothers giving birth at the units. Under the plans they would only be able to give birth at Shrewsbury, Telford or at home instead, with maternity hubs being created in other towns.

Last week, Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group said no consultation will take place in the next three months, and that it could be potentially another six months before a consultation begins.

Shropshire Councillor Paul Milner, a health campaigner who has been fighting to keep maternity services open, has insisted the wait is not good enough and will only increase the uncertainty among expectant mothers.

He said: "I was disappointed that it could take up to six months for anything to take place, I hope it certainly doesn't take as long as it did for Future Fit.

"It isn't fair on mothers, it will only serve to increase the uncertainty among mothers, and in turn they will be choosing to go to Wrexham and Shrewsbury to give birth."

Councillor Milner also insisted that taking services away from Oswestry all together is not the answer.

Around 30,000 people are signed up to GPs in the area, and with 600 homes set to be built on Shrewsbury Road, the demand for services is only going to get greater according to Councillor Milner.

He has called for as many people as possible to get involved in the consultation when it does come around.

He fears if they don't and the service does go, it may never come back.

He added: "There are around 30,000 people signed up to GPs, and with the 600 homes being built, it will create a bigger demand for maternity services.

"Ten per cent are starter homes, which will mean young families who will be having children and wanting to use the unit.

"Oswestry isn't getting any smaller, it is the second largest town in Shropshire and the people of Oswestry deserve services like this.

"The consultation should be now, but when it does eventually come I would urge anyone to have their say, because it will affect a lot of families in the area."