Huddersfield maternity services call

Jan 6 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

But Alanna, 21, and Glynn, 24, believe Maisie would have survived if she had been born in Huddersfield.

Alanna said: “It’s still painful for us, but we are getting better and having this campaign to focus on helps.”

Consultant-led services were moved from Huddersfield to Halifax in August after a multi-million-pound birth centre was built at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

There was massive opposition to the proposals, including a petition signed by more than 40,000 people.

But an independent panel approved the changes in 2006.

As many as 200 people are expected to join a vigil outside HRI on Saturday to raise awareness of Alanna and Glynn’s campaign.

Jason McCartney, prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Colne Valley, will be among them.

He said: “We were always aware of the potential consequences downgrading maternity services could have.

“There have been lots of anecdotes about people going through bad experiences as a result of what has happened, but nothing as bad as what happened to Maisie.

“Alanna and Glynn have really got the bit between their teeth and want to try to get something good out of the horrendous experience they have been through.”