JUST one in nine deliveries at Solihull Hospital will take place after controversial maternity downgrading plans, the town’s MP has said.Lorely Burt MP said: “I was deeply disturbed to learn that out of the average 2,700 deliveries at Solihull Hospital each year, only 300 fulfilled the safety criteria for a maternity-led service.
“Downgrading clearly removes a very important element of service to women in Solihull, and is totally unacceptable.”
The unit will stop accepting doctor led births from April 1 and will be closed for several weeks to all deliveries ahead of that time.
Bosses say there are not enough specialist staff available to have births at the hospital.
Mrs Burt spoke after meeting with the national NHS regulator, the Care Quality Commission, over concerns about A&E waits at the borough’s hospital authority.
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust was last week warned by regulator Monitor that it was in ‘significant breach’ of its prestigious foundation status over A&E waits.
Mrs Burt said she told CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower she was ‘deeply concerned’ over the matter, over which she has demanded a Government review.
In a press release, she said: “It is essential that external watchdogs ensure that the Trust is fulfilling the best possible standards of care and quality.”
Now she is asking for patients who have ‘had a problem with waiting times, sitting in ambulances for excessive periods, or being denied adequate care’ to contact her.
To get in touch email burtl@parliament.uk or call 0121 706 9593.
Meanwhile, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council last night passed a motion condemning the move, The Birmingham Mail reports.
What do you think? Leave your comments below. No registration required.
Click here to get stories by email.
