Mothers 'disgusted' at lack of local maternity beds

The midwife-led unit (MLU) in Ludlow is currently open for births and postnatal care, which includes provision for mothers who have their babies at nearby consultant-led units to be transferred back after the birth.

The MLU, as well as those in Oswestry and Bridgnorth, reopened in the new year after births were postponed for six months due to staff shortages - and has since seen several short-term closures for the same reason.

But campaigners say the problems are far from over and fear mothers are now being stopped from returning to the MLUs due to a lack of beds, branding the move “outrageous” and “disgusting”.

In a post on the Save Ludlow Maternity Unit Facebook page, campaigner Alison Hiles said: “Mums are being told that they can’t transfer back to the MLUs after a birth in Telford. This is outrageous, and yes you are allowed.

“Persist and remind them they are going against policy.”

This was supported by others in the group, including Tracey Huffer who said: “This is disgusting - postnatal care is vital and the care received at Ludlow is five-star.”

Others reported fears that Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SATH) was using “back door” tactics to close the unit permanently.

This has been denied by the trust, which said it had to employ its ‘escalation policy’ during the high demand for beds over winter, which meant mattresses were borrowed by the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospitals.

Campaigners in Oswestry claimed the bed shortage there was because the equipment had not yet been returned.

Sara Biffen, interim chief operating officer at SATH, said: “At times of high escalation there may be a need to utilise all available beds within the system.”