Wiltshire NHS confirms closure of birthing facilities in Trowbridge and Paulton

Women in parts of Wiltshire and Somerset will have to travel further to give birth, as the NHS confirms it's closing facilities in Trowbridge and Paulton.

Health managers said they have spent the last three years working with thousands of mothers and exploring options, but too few babies are being born at the centres.

Some midwives will now be relocated to new units at Bath's Royal United Hospital in a move that the NHS hopes will reorganise resources more effectively.

There will be a new midwife-led centre at the hospital, as well as one in Salisbury.

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Many opposed the changes when they were proposed, saying that hospital wards are busy enough already.

Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group said:

Sarah Merritt, Acting Deputy Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust said: "The addition of Alongside Midwifery Units at the Royal United Hospital in Bath andat Salisbury Hospital will give our birthing mums a new option for labour and delivery, significantly enhancing choices in Salisbury in particular."

She continued, "Our midwives and staff are excited to embrace this new way of working in purpose built facilities.”