Midwives: Maternity decision is a stay of execution

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The decision to keep a consultant-led maternity unit at the West Cumberland Hospital for at least the next year, is 'a stay of execution' according to The Royal College of Midwives.

The organisation says it welcomes the recommendation not to centralise services at Whitehaven immediately, but is concerned that the NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group has give only twelve months to assess the sustainability of the services.

It's been campaigning for the existing consultant-led maternity services to remain at Whitehaven, based on the 40-mile journey to Cumberland Infirmary and the risks associated with the journey time.