On 7th December, we wrote to Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group to express our strong concern over the recent decision to permanently close three Freestanding Midwifery Led Units in Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Ludlow.
After the units were shut on a temporary basis last summer, we wrote to the CEO of Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust reminding him that the closure of the units ran contrary to national policy, most recently confirmed by “Better Births” to offer women the full range of choices in terms of place of birth and to increase the number of births taking place in midwifery-led settings in line with women’s wishes. We also advised them that choice of place of birth falls within the right to respect for private and family life conferred by Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights/Human Rights Act 1998.
In his response dated 4th August 2017, Trust CEO Simon Wright claimed that the temporary closures were caused by short and long term staff sickness. It is therefore very disappointing to hear that the CCG have come to a decision to permanently close the units.
You can read our most recent letter, dated 7th December 2017 here.