Politicians to get say on NHS maternity proposals

The proposed measures – which have provoked a storm of protest – would see full maternity care at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, downgraded to a midwife-led unit, meaning women due to have complicated births would have to travel as far as Darlington to have their babies. Young patients may also have to travel to other hospitals for inpatient children’s services.

At Friday’s meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s Richmondshire Area Committee members will be asked for their views by the Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) who are currently consulting.

Council bosses across the region have already pledged to “leave no stone unturned” in seeking a solution.

Earlier this year, Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, rejected calls for a full review of plans after he had asked the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) to look at the issue, after the county council’s scrutiny of health committee voted to refer it over claims that other solutions to retain specialist care in Northallerton should be considered.

However, after receiving the IRP’s report, Mr Hunt decided a full review was not necessary and he said public talks on the issue should go ahead. “The consultation may also wish to invite new options and not limit respondents to those listed,” the health secretary said in a letter.

Opponents of the proposals have raised fears women in labour from remote areas including the Dales could face long journeys to give birth. Those who have raised concerns have included Foreign Secretary and Richmond MP William Hague.

Members of Richmondshire Area Committee will be asked to share their views on Friday.

In a report, Bryon Hunter, scrutiny team leader with the authority says: “While the CCG is only consulting on the two options, in accordance with the IRP’s recommendations, it has given a commitment to look at any other options that come forward from the consultation.”

“It is understood that at least one other option has already come forward from the public.

“County Coun John Blackie, in his capacity as Leader of Richmondshire District Council, is researching consultant-led units in other parts of the country and in Scotland which remain viable with a similar number of paediatric admissions and births to those at the Friarage.

“This work is consistent with the call by the county council, Hambleton District Council and Richmondshire District Council to leave no stone unturned in seeking a unique solution to the problems which children’s and maternity services at the Friarage Hospital are facing.”

NHS chiefs have said they are worried that doctors at the Friarage Hospital will not be able to maintain and develop their clinical skills because there are not enough mothers-to-be and children using the services.

They have further warned that problems in recruiting and retaining specialist staff in Northallerton will mean services for higher-risk pregnancies and children needing overnight hospital stays will no longer be viable as there will not be sufficient staff to provide care.

Services were temporarily closed in 2009 owing to staff shortages and problems providing specialist cover are expected to get worse in future.

Members of the public can share their views on the proposals by completing an online questionnaire at: www.hambletonrichmondshireandwhitbyccg.nhs.uk before November 25.

Following the closure of the public talks members of the CCG will examine the responses in more detail and are due to take a decision on the way forward sometime early in the New Year.

The county council’s scrutiny of health committee will then be given the opportunity to review their decision.

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