Trust agree to suspension of maternity services

The trust were keen to add that expectant mothers can discuss any of their concerns with their midwives. Credit: PA.

Proposals to temporarily suspend services at Midwife-Led Units in Bridgnorth, Ludlow and Oswestry for between three and six months have been approved.

It comes after the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust say it has faced a combination of staff sickness, a fall in the number of new recruits, and a rise in the number pregnancies relying on its services.

Today the board received a report outlining proposals which officials believe must be taken to make sure the trust is able to provide safe levels of care to service users. .The Board agreed to a number of extra proposals including:

  • Reviewing the decision after three months

  • Write to the clinical commissioners to ensure it doesn’t pre-empt the outcome of the Midwife-Led Unit review that the commissioners are carrying out

  • Ensure meaningful engagement with service users, stakeholders and staff to help shape the service pending the outcome of the review being led by commissioners

  • Trust to also continue its efforts to recruit more Midwives.

The following services are affected:

  • Bridgnorth Midwife-Led Unit (inpatient services including the delivery suite for births and postnatal ward)

  • Ludlow Midwife-Led Unit (inpatient services including the delivery suite for births and postnatal ward)

  • Oswestry Midwife-Led Unit (inpatient services including the delivery suite for births and postnatal ward)

The trust were keen to add that expectant mothers can discuss any of their concerns with their midwives, they added that meetings are planned to consider options and future models.

You can find out more information on the changes here.