Support pours in for Ludlow's closed maternity unit

More than 1,700 people have signed up to a Save Ludlow Maternity Unit group on Facebook in just 24 hours, and about 500 have signed a Keep Ludlow Maternity Unit Open petition started yesterday.

The midwife-led unit at Ludlow Hospital closed abruptly at the weekend, after concerns were raised over the structural integrity of the ageing former workhouse building that houses it.

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust insists there are no plans to close the unit permanently but say a survey of the building must be completed first. However, the news has sparked fears in the town that it may mark the beginning of the end for maternity in Ludlow, and calls for the service to be moved to the more modern main hospital building.

The Facebook group has filled up with testimonies from mothers who received care there and friends and family of staff concerned about the unit's future.

Mum Sharon Steele said: "I had my baby Reggie two weeks ago tomorrow, I went there in early labour to be checked then moved on to Telford and I stayed in Ludlow after I had him.

"It really is a lovely place with some wonderful staff. I just don't know how I'd have managed through my pregnancy and after without it.

"I don't see how they can even contemplate not re-opening, it really is needed too much."

Relative Abi Griffiths said: "My mum Wendy has worked there for about 12 years or so now, and she loves it there! I'll do anything to keep this open! I think it's disgusting the way this place has been shut down, with no notice at all!"

But mum Emma Fury said: "I understand your sadness about this and I too received excellent care in Ludlow maternity unit in 1991, 1994 and 1995 with both postnatal care and two labours.

"However, my understanding as I read the decision is that the unit is being closed due to the safety aspects of the building at present.

"No amount of protests will re-open a building deemed unsatisfactory. I have no doubt that a local alternative will be found in the future."

Andy Boddington, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North said: "This shows just how angry people are in Ludlow about the closure of the midwifery-led service. There is plenty of room in the modern part of Ludlow Hospital to accommodate a maternity unit.

"I think the real problem is that the hospital site is run by three different NHS bodies.

"We need everyone to sit down together and sort out restoration of maternity services in Ludlow with immediate effect."