Mums-to-be who have just found out they’re pregnant have a new birthing option in Kirklees.
Dewsbury Hospital has confirmed it is opening a midwife led birthing centre in about nine months time.
But the brand new centre, set to launch in May 2016, seals the fate of the hospital’s obstetric doctors, who will move to the labour ward at Pinderfields at Wakefield.
Maternity care at Dewsbury was criticised in a review in 2011 following a number of incidents, the most serious of which saw baby Oliver Schofield die after his mum spent 61 hours in labour.
The plan to remove the consultant led labour ward from Dewsbury was first revealed as part of Mid Yorkshire Trust’s shake-up in 2013.
The change to maternity services mirrors what happened in Huddersfield in 2008 when consultant led care was transferred from the infirmary to Calderdale Royal in Halifax, leaving HRI with a stand-alone birthing centre.
It means women who suffer unexpected complications during birth at Dewsbury will have to be transferred by ambulance to Pinderfields.
Midwife led birthing centres are recommended for most women who have had straightforward pregnancies and are supported by the National Children’s Charity (NCT).
Gill Pownall, Head of Midwifery at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “There will be a new standalone Midwife Led Unit (MLU) at Dewsbury Hospital opening in May 2016.
“The aim of the MLU is to improve the options available to women and improve their childbirth experience.
“Building works will begin on the new midwife led unit at Dewsbury in October this year.
“The MLU in Dewsbury hospital has been designed to accommodate all low risk deliveries for women in North Kirklees, however based on national experience we estimate that initially 500 low risk deliveries will be undertaken at Dewsbury as women will have a choice of a home birth, MLU delivery or delivery in the obstetric unit based in Pinderfields hospital.
“Women considered high risk and requiring consultant led care (Antenatal, intrapartum and post-natal) will be cared for at Pinderfields Hospital obstetric unit.
“Community midwifery services will also be developed to enable more low risk deliveries at home. Outpatient ante and post-natal care will be provided locally from all three trust sites.
“We are delighted that these are major improvements to the options offered to women at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and are looking forward to seeing the corresponding changes to women’s experience.”
The controversial re-structuring of care at Mid Yorkshire, dubbed Meeting The Challenge, was given the green light by the health secretary in early 2014 following an independent review.
The hospital’s coronary care unit was transferred to Wakefield two weeks ago and A&E is set to be downgraded sometime before 2018.
It will still have 24/7 emergency care and full resuscitation facilities but more seriously ill patients are likely to be transferred elsewhere, especially at night when consultant doctors will not routinely be on on site.
A £22m revamp of buildings on the site has begun, with the Bronte Tower and Staincliffe Wing likely to be demolished and the land sold for housing.
