Shropshire Star

Maternity service returning to Ludlow Hospital

Ludlow's maternity service, which was suspended last week amid concerns over the structural condition of the building, will be back in full use by early November, health bosses have announced.

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Services at Ludlow Hospital's midwife-led unit will be transferred to the Stretton Ward, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has confirmed.

Antenatal appointments, booking services and day appointments are being provided with immediate effect.

It is planned that care for women giving birth and postnatal services will be available in the main hospital by early November.

It comes after the trust suspended all services at the hospital's midwife-led unit on Friday due to concerns about the condition of the ageing building next to the more modern main hospital.

There were It prompted fears that the unit would not reopen, despite SaTH offering reassurances that it was a temporary measure.

Sarah Jamieson, head of midwifery at SaTH, said: "The decision to 'stop the line' and temporarily suspend services at Ludlow MLU was not taken lightly. It was absolutely the correct decision for the safety of mothers, babies and our staff.

"We remained committed to finding a local solution for local people as soon as this decision was made and I am delighted to confirm that we have already arranged for some services to be temporarily transferred to Stretton Ward at Ludlow Community Hospital, with plans to bring the birthing unit into the main Ludlow Community Hospital by early November."

"This provides a very good environment for women.

"We will have two labour rooms, a warm and comfortable space for day services, and for the first time in Ludlow an area where we can offer water births."

She said serious concerns about the structure of the building that formerly housed the maternity unit had been identified.

"That, combined with the general age of the building, put us in a position where we felt we had to act immediately," Ms Jamieson said.

"Following the decision we requested a number of risk assessments to be conducted, including a structural survey, and the majority of those reports, including the structural survey, have now been completed and concluded that the building is not currently fit for use.

"We recognise the importance of providing a local service and that is why we have acted quickly to restore one. Staff have worked really hard to make this happen and I congratulate their efforts."

Health bosses have apologised for any disruption caused and said women due to attend Ludlow MLU in the next few weeks had been notified of the changes.

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