‘Change must come’ vow health bosses in hospital shake-up row

Health chiefs are planning to reduce services at the Friarage in Northallerton, ending inpatient children’s care and retaining only day-case and outpatient services. Maternity care would be downgraded to midwifery-led services, meaning those facing higher-risk births would have to travel to James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough, 22 miles away.

The plans have met with a wave of opposition, including from local MP William Hague.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt last month rejected calls for a full review, and last night, NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) announced its intention to start the formal public consultation with the original two preferred options.

Dr Vicky Pleydell, chief clinical officer for Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG, said: “We are not intending to consult on a third option of leaving the service as it is. The case for change is clear.

“The number of sick children requiring inpatient care and number of high-risk births are too small to support the size and experience required of medical teams to ensure a safe and high quality service. Our preferred option would mean that the vast majority of children’s and maternity services at the Friarage would be retained and women would still be able to choose the Friarage for low-risk births.”

David Williamson, spokesman for the Save Our Friarage Hospital Facebook group, said: “We are still fighting. We don’t think the [CCG’s} arguments stand up”.