14 August 2018
Maternity services for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Mid and North Wales have completed a period of engagement with the public following the suspension of inpatient services at the three rural Midwife Led Units (MLUs) run by The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH).
Services at the units in Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Ludlow were suspended on safety grounds on 20 May. The engagement period was launched on 3 July and ran until midnight yesterday (Monday 13 August).
Anthea Gregory-Page, Deputy Head of Midwifery at SaTH, said: “During this period of engagement, we have heard from local people, and particularly women and families using our maternity service, who told us how we can best meet their needs at this time.
“We have also received views via a questionnaire which was accessed on the maternity services section of our website and completed a total of 15 events for service users and the wider public and 15 events for staff to attend across the county. We would like to thank everyone – families and staff – for their help and support during the past six weeks.”
Jo Banks, Women and Children’s Care Group Director, added: “The outcome of this engagement period will be analysed and summarised in a report to be presented to the Trust Board, alongside any associated recommendations, on 27 September 2018. That meeting will be held in public.
“Until that time the current suspension of inpatient services at the three MLUs will continue. The units will, however, continue to remain open between 8am and 8pm for antenatal and postnatal outpatient services. Likewise, home births are not be affected.”