Midwife-led birthing centre to close
Posted: 2 February 2012 by Robert Dabrowski
There is disappointment at the news that a midwife-led birthing centre in Hull is to shut its doors permanently.
Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust has announced it will close the Jubilee Birth Centre at Castle Hill Hospital.
It is taking the action under plans to centralise maternity services at its Hull Royal Infirmary site.
The move comes after the trust was recently forced to temporarily close the Jubilee centre, due to a midwife shortage highlighted by the Care Quality Commission.
But, despite its permanent closure, the trust has vowed to develop a new midwife-led unit at the Hull Royal Infirmary.
Jacque Gerrard, RCM director for England, said: ‘The RCM wanted to see this unit remain open, so this is disappointing news for the women who want to give birth in this kind of environment, and very sad news for the midwives who want to provide care there.
‘This limits choices for women in the area at a time when the government is saying there should be more choice.
‘However, we are pleased to see that the option of birthing in a midwife-led unit for women will still be available, even though this means centralising services and the closure of Jubilee.’
She added that the RCM is keen to talk to the midwives and trust managers about the decision and the next steps for maternity services in the area.
Phil Morley, chief executive at the trust, said it is ‘absolutely committed’ to providing the full range of birthing choices to women in the area.
He said: ‘The decision we have taken means that women who book to have a midwifery‐led birth will be certain to receive that service.
‘Furthermore, we believe that this will make midwifery‐led birth a more viable option for more women in our region.’
