PARENTS have been left shocked at plans to close maternity and paediatrics services at Poole Hospital in a major shake-up of health services.

Health chiefs from Dorset CCG said under proposals in its Clinical Services Review, a purpose built unit would be built at Royal Bournemouth Hospital instead, which it recommends as the county's major emergency hospital.

It is unknown how Poole Hospital Charity services such as SPRING, which supports bereaved parents and Gully’s Place Trust Fund, for children’s end of life care, would be affected if proposals went ahead.

Brad Armitage, 43, has fundraised for Poole Hospital’s baby unit after its team helped save his ‘miracle’ granddaughter Miabella, who spent her first 135 days in intensive care after she was born prematurely at 25 weeks old weighing just 1lb 15oz.

The grandad and dad-of-three, said: “Travelling to Bournemouth from certain parts of the area is an awfully long way.

"Poor transport links, congestion and a struggling ambulance service would mean journeys could easily take an hour or more. There will surely be people in labour who just don’t make it.

“Everyone in the area is so used to having Poole accessible. They have either been born there or have had their children there. It’s part of the community so any major change like this is going to cause a lot of upset. I don’t think anyone is going to have a positive reaction to it.

“They need to come up with some serious answers why this big upheaval is going to be necessary for anyone expecting.”

Natasha Woodrow, 30, gave birth to all three of her children at Poole Hospital – including Dottie, who was tragically stillborn aged 25 weeks.

Charity SPRING at Poole Hospital provides special facilities to accommodate women having stillborn babies.

Natasha said: “The charity has fundraised and just spent a lot of money on a special suite so parents of stillborn babies can give birth in a separate and less clinical environment at this heartbreaking time. It's devastating that would just not be there anymore after everybody’s efforts.”

Michelle Peters, regional editor of Netmums Dorset, said: “I do understand that money needs to be saved, but maternity services aren’t something that people often have the luxury to be able to travel to.

“Babies come when they are ready to come and the local community needs a local maternity hospital.”

Dorset CCG said if proposals go ahead and Royal Bournemouth Hospital becomes the county’s major emergency centre, the maternity and paediatrics units need to be alongside other major specialisms to provide better care.

Dr Karen Kirkham, the CCG’s assistant clinical chair, said: “We are talking about lifting the team and giving them a purpose built new maternity and paediatric co-located unit with all the modern specifications.

“The maternity unit in Poole is creaking to capacity. It doesn’t meet what you would aspire to in terms of a high risk unit for mums of the Bournemouth and Poole area.”

No preferred option has been set out for the future of paediatric services and maternity services at Dorset County Hospital, with ongoing discussions taking place between the Dorchester hospital and Yeovil District Hospital regarding the possible integration of services. Another option is integrating services with those in the east of the county.

Debbie Fleming, chief executive, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said no decisions have yet been made as to where services will be provided.

She added: "Maternity services at Poole Hospital were rated ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission recently, as part of their comprehensive inspection of provision, but it has long been recognised that a new maternity unit is needed for the eastern side of Dorset. It is encouraging to note that this remains a top priority for the future, under all the options presented."