Jackie continues to stand up for 3000 Mums a year who have babies in Winchester as the proposal for new hospital is revealed.www.winld.org.uk/maternity

So far we have signed up over 1200 signatures- it rings a bell with local Parents – and Grandparents too!

The hospital changes sound really exciting- a new hospital for residents.
But how does that change the offer for Mums in labour who live in Winchester and Chandler’s Ford?
Midwives and doctors tell me that they are worried by the proposal. They worry for Mums and Babies. They know that the number of births that need intervention (for Caesarian or other methods) is quite high. Higher than average. They worry that the midwives at Winchester will only get to see easy (‘no risk’ ) births– and start to be de-skilled.

Mums report that in the main, the service they receive is very good, but there is evidence that staff shortages are already happening. Midwives report moving between sites, mid shift. One mum reported that when she went in, there had been 15 births that morning in Winchester! Everyone was elated but exhausted!
That means that planned births don’t happen when they should or perhaps the risk of intervention grows as the support offered by the team grows less? Is this why the Caesarian rate is higher? Mums tell me that they think so.

Jackie has met many Mums who know (from personal experience) the value of consultant support on site .

I have raised the whole issue of moving Maternity Obstetric and Paediatric care, on the basis of the financial argument, but I hear other specialists expressing concern too.
Before this new hospital gets the go ahead, we must make sure it makes sense for us as patients in the greatest of need- and this includes Mums and their babies- and of course, clinical sense too. I am meeting CCG bosses in December and will report back to you- as users of the NHS.