RISING birth rates have led to the review of New Forest maternity services which could lead to the closure of Lymington birth centre says Southampton University Hospitals Trust.

Trust managers are considering closing birth centres at Lymington, Hythe and Romsey hospitals and setting up a new centre at Snowdon House, Ashurst Hospital.

The plans have upset mums who like the convenience of the local centres and the rapport they build with midwives.

Posters have appeared outside schools urging people to write against the proposals and on Saturday a protest march will take place in Lymington.

Now Southampton University Hospitals Trust (SUHT) has issued a statement saying the review of maternity services was begun more than a year ago led by midwives, lay people and health service managers.

"This step was taken after it became clear that unless changes were made to the service, the rising birth rate would lead to unacceptable safety risks," says the statement.

"The outcome of the review at this point is that proposals have been developed to change the service so that women still get a choice of home birth, birth centre or hospital for their delivery, but can continue to be confident that there will always be enough midwives to ensure a safe labour and birth."

SUHT says the local birth centres often have empty beds.

In addition, Snowdon House is close to specialist maternity facilities at Princess Anne Hospital to allow rapid transfer if necessary and is accessible to mothers who choose not to give birth in the consultant-led unit.

Papers presented to the New Forest PCT board in May said: "Significantly, there is also a need to address issues of clinical safety that require increased staffing at the main unit at Princess Anne Hospital, so the resourcing of the maternity service should also be looked in the round."

Karen Baker, SUHT director of operations for women and children's services, said: "Maternity services play a special role in local communities and we all want to know that women in our area will benefit from safe, high quality midwifery support during labour and birth."

SUHT is currently consulting with user groups and other interested organisations.

Feedback will be analysed and then fed into firm proposals that will form the basis for public consultation.

  • Comments can be made to midwives by e-mailing: yourviewscount@suht.swest.nhs.uk