Pictured: The Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead. Taken by Jessica Fitch.
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MPs and councillors have asked the NHS to ‘think again’ after introducing plans to close a maternity ward in North Central London.
The NHS revealed their plans to close maternity units at either Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead or Whittington Hospital in Archway.
A statement released by the ICB in early December claims that the changes will “create more resilient services” and that the proposed closure is due to a “falling birth rate.”
This would reduce maternity and neonatal services in the area from five sites to four. Statistics from the NHS show that due to the increasing number of complex pregnancies, midwife-led wards in North London are only used to around 30% of their capacity.
“We know maternity wards have a very special place in the hearts of local people.”
The Chief Medical Officer for the ICB in North Central London, Dr Jo Sauvage, commented, “Keeping services as they are does not support better outcomes, access and experience for residents.”
However, a petition created by members of Camden and Islington Council urges the NHS to ‘save our maternity services’. The petition, with nearly 400 signatures, shares its concern for future families who may have to travel further for important appointments.
Councillor Lorna Jane Russell, the creator of the petition, also raised concerns regarding the impact on employees such as nurses, midwives and doctors.
What are MPs saying?
Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, responded to the proposals in a statement: ‘I’m very concerned about the suggestion that our local maternity unit could be closed, given the number of local residents who I know rely on it and some of the transport difficulties in reaching other North London hospitals.’
“I will always fight for the Royal Free Hospital.”
Despite the backlash from members of parliament, the NHS has outlined that change may be necessary as the lack of patients and staff vacancies has cost the NHS over £750,000 a year.
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HeadlineMPs ‘concerned’ over proposed closure of maternity wards
Short HeadlineMP backlash after NHS plans to close maternity wards
StandfirstThe NHS is debating to close units at either Royal Free Hospital or Whittington Hospital
MPs and councillors have asked the NHS to ‘think again’ after introducing plans to close a maternity ward in North Central London.
The NHS revealed their plans to close maternity units at either Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead or Whittington Hospital in Archway.
A statement released by the ICB in early December claims that the changes will “create more resilient services” and that the proposed closure is due to a “falling birth rate.”
This would reduce maternity and neonatal services in the area from five sites to four. Statistics from the NHS show that due to the increasing number of complex pregnancies, midwife-led wards in North London are only used to around 30% of their capacity.
“We know maternity wards have a very special place in the hearts of local people.”
The Chief Medical Officer for the ICB in North Central London, Dr Jo Sauvage, commented, “Keeping services as they are does not support better outcomes, access and experience for residents.”
However, a petition created by members of Camden and Islington Council urges the NHS to ‘save our maternity services’. The petition, with nearly 400 signatures, shares its concern for future families who may have to travel further for important appointments.
Councillor Lorna Jane Russell, the creator of the petition, also raised concerns regarding the impact on employees such as nurses, midwives and doctors.
What are MPs saying?
Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, responded to the proposals in a statement: ‘I’m very concerned about the suggestion that our local maternity unit could be closed, given the number of local residents who I know rely on it and some of the transport difficulties in reaching other North London hospitals.’
“I will always fight for the Royal Free Hospital.”
Despite the backlash from members of parliament, the NHS has outlined that change may be necessary as the lack of patients and staff vacancies has cost the NHS over £750,000 a year.
