Protest over decision to pause births at hospital.
A protest has taken place outside a hospital in East Sussex where childbirth services have been temporarily suspended.
Births been halted at Crowborough War Memorial Hospital, which sees between 10 and 20 births every month, until May of next year.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust stated that it was due to personnel shortages and that its aim was to deliver “safe, high-quality, and reliable maternity care for families”.
Antenatal and postnatal care will continue, but families must travel to Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, or Haywards Heath for births. Mother-of-two Amy Fitter stated, “It’s quite disappointing that parents’ choices are being taken away.
I believe that every mother should have the opportunity to have a midwife-led birth. “It was encouraging that we did not have to travel far.
It would be a shame if other mothers didn’t have it as well.” Every month, 10 to 20 babies are born at Crowborough Birthing Centre, with over 400 in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.
Lucy Humphrey, a mother of one, said: “Parents are extremely disappointed; it will put additional strain on Tunbridge Wells Hospital.”
“The birthing centre is like a home away from home, I’m still in contact with the midwives here.”
George Carden/BBCHeidi Razzell, a mother of two, stated, “The care here is exceptional; you feel like a human being, not a number.” Dr John Davies, a 40-year NHS veteran, stated that the maternity section is the “jewel in the crown.” We’ve been threatened with this before, and we’ve always fought back.
According to Nus Ghani, Conservative MP for Sussex Weald, the community is “championing the right for women to have a midwifery-led birth”.
A spokesperson for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust stated, “While we understand that this will be disappointing news for those affected, our priority is to provide safe, high-quality, and reliable maternity care for families, and we are working with partners across Kent and Sussex to look at how we can deliver a long-term, sustainable service.”
“We remain committed to ensuring women and birthing people have choice and our services at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Maidstone Birth Centre, both of which offer high-quality midwifery-led care with access to birthing pools, reflect our dedication to personalised care which supports each person’s preferences.”
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