18 May 2018

Inpatient services, including births, at Bridgnorth Midwife Led Unit (MLU) are to be temporarily suspended for four weeks from Sunday 20 May.

Births at Oswestry and Ludlow MLUs, which are currently suspended, will continue to be temporarily suspended for a further four weeks. This is to ensure the safe care of mums using Shropshire’s maternity services.

Oswestry, Ludlow and Bridgnorth MLUs are expected to re-open to inpatient services from Sunday 17 June.

  • Inpatient services (births and postnatal care) at Bridgnorth MLU will be temporarily suspended from 8am on Sunday 20 May until 8am on Sunday 17 June. The unit will remain open between 8am and 8pm for antenatal and postnatal services.

 

  • Inpatient services (births and postnatal care) at Oswestry MLU are currently suspended, and will continue to be temporarily suspended until 8am on Sunday 17 June. The unit will remain open between 8am and 8pm for antenatal and postnatal services.

 

  • Inpatient services (births and postnatal care) at Ludlow MLU are currently suspended, and will continue to be temporarily suspended until 8am on Sunday 17 June. The unit will remain open between 8am and 8pm for antenatal and postnatal services.

Women booked to give birth at Oswestry, Ludlow or Bridgnorth MLU who go into labour during this time will be offered a birth at either Shrewsbury or Wrekin MLU or the Consultant-led unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford; or they may choose the option of a home birth. If any women due to give birth at Oswestry, Ludlow or Bridgnorth MLU require support during this time they will be able to access a Midwife. All women potentially affected by the suspensions are being contacted.

Sarah Jamieson, Head of Midwifery at SaTH, said: “Unfortunately the issues which have been affecting our maternity service continue. With over 98% of our women giving birth away from our MLUs, we are having to deploy our midwives where our mothers are choosing to be and ensure that our consultant led unit is appropriately staffed.

“I must again reiterate that decisions over staffing are made purely on the basis of safety. The safety of women and babies using our maternity services has been, and always will be, our number one priority.

“I would like to apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.”