Rallying cry for Oswestry maternity march
A rallying cry has gone out to those worried about health services in Shropshire to join a march to a maternity unit on Sunday.
Organisers of the march from Oswestry to the unit, housed at the Orthopaedic hospital in Gobowen, say the loss of the unit would effect the future vitality of the town.
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust has closed the labour wards at the midwife led units in Oswestry, Ludlow and Bridgnorth for three months and possibly up to six months because of staff shortages across the region.
On Sunday a march will leave the Guildhall in Oswestry at 10.30am for the walk through Park Hall to the unit. There it will converge with another group marching from Gobowen Railway Station.
"This will allow supporters to come up on the train and join in our protest," one of the organisers, Liz Grayston said.
"This is affecting people in the wider, rural parts of Shropshire and we are hoping for support from across the county."
"If mothers-to-be can't give birth locally then young families will think twice before moving into areas like Oswestry and this will have a knock on effect on shops, schools and local services."
Day-time pre and post natal services at the midwife led units are continuing.
