No beds for Huddersfield baby Daisy's birth - mum is taken 50 MILES to York

Oct 6 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“It was ridiculous. I was already anxious enough about the baby being okay, so being in the middle of labour and told I was being transferred out just added to the stress.

“In the end I had time before I gave birth, but some people would have had their baby halfway down the motorway.”

Staff at York were able to halt Miss Cotton’s contractions, but the baby’s heart rate was so high she was given an emergency Caesarian section.

Baby Daisy-Boo is now doing well in hospital but despite several attempts by staff to get her moved to Halifax, was only transferred there at the weekend.

Until then, her parents had to spend most days making the long journey to and from York.

Miss Cotton said this left her feeling exhausted and finding it difficult to bond with her newborn because of the little time she could spend with her.

She said: “She’s back at Halifax now, but that’s where she should have been born.

“We’ve been lucky that we’ve had a happy ending, but some people don’t get that.

“They should have kept the unit at Huddersfield. Every town should have its own hospital and services for everyone – I’m sure people wouldn’t mind paying more for a better NHS.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust was asked to explain why Miss Cotton had to travel to York, and why no other hospital could be used.

A spokeswoman said: “We are very sorry Hayley is not happy with the service we provided and we would urge her to contact us so that we can look closely at the issues raised.”