Consultant, Martin de Bono's report proposing to downgrade Bassetlaw Hospital's Maternity to a midwife-led unit with more than 1,000 births per year shifting to Doncaster has been condemned by local MP as misleading.
De Bono's report identifies six maternity-led units around the country that could be used as models for what he proposes for Bassetlaw and John Mann has taken a look at each of them.
In 2006, the Kendal midwifery led unit had to fight off closure as part of a costs cutting review; Telford is currently part of a closure review; Harwich is under threat of closure due to a shortage of midwives at nearby Colchester; Hexham has seen birth rates drop dramatically following its downgrading to a maternity led unit. In direct comparison medics at Newcastle's RVI say they have seen a huge jump in the number of women giving birth in their unit and state that they are struggling to cope. Concerns have also been expressed because high risk women in Northumberland now have less choice in how their baby is delivered; Grantham is under threat after a previous downgrading; Frome was closed for three months last year and is under threat of permanent closure.
Grantham Hospital is the best direct comparison to the Bassetlaw situation. It was downgraded and now has questions over its future as a midwifery led unit. Mothers have to go to Lincoln, but Lincoln cannot always cope. Last month a mother was sent to Peterborough but they were full and she was sent home. Claire Ballam got to Lincoln Hospital where she was told it was full. However, she never made it back home to Grantham and her baby was delivered in a petrol station forecourt .
Mr De Bono oversaw the closure of the maternity unit at Huddersfield Hospital and mothers now have to travel 5.5 miles to Calderdale. For Maisie Bates this journey was too long and sadly she died. Her parents have launched a campaign to re-open Huddersfield maternity unit.
Commenting on the report and his investigations John Mann said "these units have been held up as standard bearers for the way forward. But the real picture is frightening. Is this really where we want to be in three years time?"
1 February 2011
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