Views of parents still sought on local maternity services

A 12-week consultation prompted by last July’s closure of the Jubilee birth centre in Cottingham, is nearing its conclusion.

But the two GP clinical commissioning groups involved have announced further consultation events to be held next week.

Hospital chiefs have said that creating a £500,000 midwifery-led unit at Hull Royal Infirmary will allow women who book a midwifery-led birth to be certain of receiving the service.

GP Dan Roper, Hull Clinical Commissioning Group’s clinical lead for maternity services, said: “All women have the right to choose where they deliver their baby, but following recent changes in the options available locally, most notably the closure of the Jubilee Birth Centre, we as commissioners of NHS services need to make sure there is still enough choice available for local women and their families.

“Because each woman’s needs and circumstances will vary, it’s important that we can deliver the right levels of support in a range of different settings. Just as importantly, we want to ensure those services are of a high quality and offer the safest possible experience for the whole family.”

Drop-in consultation events will run next Tuesday at Marfleet Children’s Centre, Preston Road, Hull, on Wednesday at the East Riding Choices Centre, Norwood, Beverley, and on Thursday at McMillan Children’s Centre, Orchard Park, Hull. All run from 9.30-11.30am.

Advance booking is required for formal presentations on Monday from 6.30-8.30pm at Newland Community Church, Newland Avenue, Hull, and on Thursday from 6-7pm at Health House, Grange Park Lane, Willerby. To book call 0800 644 0245. The consultation closes on October 1.