Births ward closure fear Durham County Council health bosses concern for expectant mothers
HEALTH bosses have raised concerns over the temporary closure of Bishop Auckland Hospital’s Maternity Unit.
Durham County Council’s Adult Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee fear the closure will have a negative effect on expectant mothers. JULY 1 EDITION
The committee plans to outline its concerns in a letter to County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
Cllr Robin Todd, Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, said: “Members have considered these proposals and identified a number of concerns and we need reassurance and guarantees.
“The biggest concern is communities not having a service close by for a set period of time and the effect this will have on expectant mothers.”
The temporary closure of the unit comes into place tomorrow (Saturday) until September 5 and has been prompted by staff shortages.
The unit, which operates with 13 full time staff members, is a popular choice for about 350 women a year, who have low risk pregnancies.
Director of Nursing Laura Robson said: “The MLU operates with a small group of staff.
“Some staff have left the unit, and although we are recruiting replacements, these will not be in post until the beginning of September.
“We also have a small number of our experienced staff suffering some long-term health problems.
“This means that, between July 2 and September 5 we do not have enough midwives to cover all rotas safely.
This means we cannot guarantee safe care 24 hours a day for women using the unit.”
“We have taken steps including moving midwives from Durham and Darlington – but, given that high risk deliveries take place there we need to keep staffing levels safe there too.”
She said the trust was contacting women who are booked to have their babies in unit to discuss alternative birth plans, adding: “This is a temporary difficulty and we are planning for the unit to reopen in September.”