Cash crisis delivers further turmoil for expectant mothers

Controversial measures which would see full maternity care at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton downgraded to a midwife-led unit, leaving pregnant women due to have complicated births to travel to Darlington, Middlesbrough, York, Harrogate or even Lancaster to deliver their babies, have provoked a storm of protest in the area.

Now concerns have been raised about the future of maternity services in Scarborough and also Harrogate as part of a wider review of all NHS services in the county which has been plagued by financial problems for more than a decade.

The Yorkshire Post last week exclusively revealed a “long list” of measures which could see maternity care in Scarborough also downgraded.

But at a meeting yesterday health chiefs also refused to rule out changes to maternity services at Harrogate District Hospital.

Councillor Jim Clark, chairman of the health scrutiny committee at North Yorkshire County Council, said this could have major implications for the changes in Northallerton.

His committee last week agreed to refer the plans for the Friarage to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt amid anger over the refusal of NHS officials to consider retaining full services there.

He said the wider review of care raised the prospect of only one full maternity service being available across North Yorkshire in York.

“It now means there is a possible threat to consultant-led maternity services in Harrogate and Scarborough,” he said.

Last night a spokesman for NHS North Yorkshire and York said “all ideas available that could bring the local health economy back into financial balance” were being discussed.

Changes to maternity in Harrogate could also have significant implications for services in Leeds where plans are being laid to centre all maternity care at Leeds General Infirmary.