Heatherwood FT closes birthing centre

A trust press release says: “These absences have been managed, up until now, using agency staff and pulling cover over from Wexham Park [hospital].

“Over the last couple of weeks the trust has been making every effort to secure extra midwives to fill the gaps, however, due to the advanced skills that are required for midwives working at the Ascot Birth Centre it has not been possible.”

The announcement, on 27 September, came a week after the resignation of chief executive Julie Burgess

The trust emphasised the importance of mothers and babies, and said the closure of the delivery suite, which is based at Heatherwood hospital, would be “temporary”. No date has been given for its reopening.

Outpatient clinics, antenatal, postnatal and early pregnancy care will continue at Heatherwood as normal.

Director of nursing Deirdre Thompson said: “We are not prepared to provide a service that would put the safety and care of mothers and their babies at risk.”

An average of one mother a day gives birth at the centre. Ms Thompson said: “By focusing their care at Wexham Park, these births can be effectively and safely managed and our midwife to birth ratio maintained at 1:34.”

The South Central strategic health authority voiced concerns over maternity care at Heatherwood and Wexham Park in July, citing factors including its low midwife to woman ratio, high Cesarean section rate.