THE Conservatives’ policy on maternity care makes the case for keeping birthing services at Solihull Hospital, its election hopeful said after a major speech by the party’s health boss.Maggie Throup, prospective parliamentary candidate for Solihull, spoke after shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley addressed the Royal College of Midwives.
He has previously supported her opposition, see right, to plans that could see doctor-led births removed from Solihull Hospital.
Mrs Throup said in a statement: “Mr Lansley recognises the importance of smaller maternity units such as Solihull and highlights that such units tend to perform better than larger units.
“Local patient choice and access must remain the main criterion and a Conservative Government will enable maternity services to meet quality standards through a maternity services budget.
“Conservative policies back our campaign to keep full maternity services here in Solihull.”
In his speech, Mr Lansley said: “These plans will transform care for new mothers, from a service that is currently overstretched and patchy to one where every family gets the care and support that it needs.
“Labour haven’t delivered on their promises to give women real choice, to provide proper care during pregnancy and following birth, or to help those families that are most isolated and vulnerable. Our reforms will make these things a reality.
“They will give every woman world-class care and help our maternity services play a much bigger part in strengthening our families and communities.”
Views are being sought by Solihull NHS Care Trust on the future of maternity services.
Five options are put forward including expanding the hospital’s services, removing doctor-led births and removing all birthing services.
It says staffing levels are too low for the current system to remain. This could not be solved with “unlimited” money, it claims, as there are not enough trained doctors and nurses.
Following the speech, RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick, RCM, general secretary, said the Tory’s plans reflect a “general consensus” but would need cash.
Asking for more detail, she said: “The Conservatives are putting forward a number of interesting proposals, but good words and good intent are one thing, and real and positive action is another.
“We want promises made to become promises delivered and the improvements we have seen so far in maternity services continuing.”
The NHS Confederation, which represents managers, said it welcomed the proposals which would “give greater support to mothers to-be”.
