National Childbirth Trust - Petersfield and Liss Grange Birth Centre to Close - NCT response

Pregnant women and their families are appalled today after finding out that the Grange Birth Centre is to close from the 4^th July. 

The Petersfield and Liss Branch of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) representative Sarah R stated that the implications for local families are devastating, ‘Many women will be affected by the closure which has come as a shock to both expectant parents and midwives.  Women who were planning to give birth or recover after their baby is born are having to totally re-think their plans weeks before their due dates’

Lucy W whose baby is due on 11^th July is very upset that her plans to give birth at the Grange Birth Centre have been dashed, ‘I am upset and disgusted that I have been given such short notice on something that has such a big impact on my baby’s birth’.

Sarah R continues, ‘As a branch we plan to fight this closure and are holding a public meeting on Monday 27^th June at 8pm at the United Reform Church, College Street, Petersfield (and NOT in the Health Education Room at The Petersfield Hospital, as previously advertised).  Please come along and help us to develop a high profile Action Plan to stand up for the rights of parents in Petersfield.  We will demonstrate our frustration with this decision by lobbying politicians, NHS managers and marching prams down the high street if we have to make our voices heard’.

This closure follows further reduction in maternity services within the Portsmouth NHS Trust including the reduction and cancellation of Parentcraft (antenatal) Classes.  There is growing concern that the erosion of these services for parents in East Hampshire is evidence of a desire by Portsmouth Hospital Trust to permanently close the Grange Birth Centre.  A move which directly contradicts Government policy promoting maternity services in local units.    

Local women have praised the high quality care provided by the staff at the Grange Birth Centre both during labour and after their baby is born.  Many women particularly value the breastfeeding support available.  When the Grange closed in August 2003 Petersfield and Liss NCT’s volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor, Sue S was overwhelmed by requests for information and support, ‘requests for support increased dramatically during this period.  I dread the effect the closure of the Grange will have on mums and their babies ability to breastfeed’.

This latest closure undermines efforts by community midwives to encourage more women to give birth at The Grange through the Government’s Birth Choices Project and through the re-naming of The Grange Birth Centre.  In fact the number of babies born at the Grange so far this year have exceeded the number of births for the same period during 2004.  As a result of this closure parental choices have been dramatically limited.

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Page updated: 24 June 2005.