Maternity campaigner tells mums how to win (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Maternity campaigner tells mums how to win

MUMS were out in force in Malmesbury on Saturday urging people to pack a public meeting tonight, called to rally people to make a final stand to save the hospital's maternity unit.

Guest speaker at the meeting at the town hall at 7.30pm will be Richard Hallett, who successfully led a campaign to save a community maternity unit in Crowborough, East Sussex, that was under threat in 1984, 1990 and 1996.

Mr Hallett, together with campaigners, created a plan to increase the unit's birth rate and in 1997 the health authority gave the unit two years to prove its viability.

Through promotion, the scheme increased births to 350 a year, nearly a seven-fold rise of the 52 births in 1991.

Campaigners fighting to save the Malmesbury unit are hoping Mr Hallett can inspire another success.

Meeting organiser, Sarah Newman of Swindon, who has produced a campaign leaflet telling people in Malmesbury the ways they can register their protest, said: "We need as many people as possible to support the unit at tonight's meeting."

She said there was great scope for the Malmesbury unit to attract more births from further afield.

She said the future of the unit could be secured if the trust promoted it to pregnant women in Swindon, Wootton Bassett and the surrounding villages.

"If they close this maternity unit it will mean that pregnant women in Swindon only have the choice of a large hospital or their home for childbirth.

"Experience has shown that small maternity units have lots of advantages for women including shorter labours, less chance of Caesarean sections and a more homely experience generally," she said.

"The argument to close the unit just doesn't stand up. It won't save any money."

But Malmesbury campaigners know they will have to work hard to convince the cash-strapped Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust that the Malmesbury unit has a viable future.

The trust conducted a survey of mothers across the area last summer, which it said showed no potential increase in activity for Malmesbury from a wider catchment area. The trust also needs to save money. It has a £10m deficit this year that it must reduce despite an extra £36million over the next three years from the Government.

No detailed figures have been published, but the trust claims it will save around £250,000 from the closure of the Malmesbury unit.

If the unit closes mothers would be left with just care from home visit midwives. All other maternity services would be transferred to Chippenham if the trust decides after the three-month consultation period to scrap the unit.

Mums including those from Tetbury and Swindon, were at Malmesbury's Market Cross on Saturday as part of the ongoing campaign.

They collected a further 200 names, bringing the total of signatures to over 400, for the Save Malmesbury Maternity Unit petition.

Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust will also be holding a consultation meeting about its proposals at the town hall on Monday from 10am until 12pm. There will be limited creche facilities.

To book, call Leanne Woolway on (01380) 736012.

Meetings coming up

THE following public meetings have been arranged by Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust to discuss proposals to close Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units and to change consultant outpatient clinics.

Today 1pm to 3pm at Chippenham Town Hall on outpatient clinics; Monday 10am to noon at Malmesbury Town Hall on maternity services followed from 1pm to 3pm on outpatient clinics; Wednesday 10am to noon at Devizes Corn Exchange on maternity services followed at 1pm to 3pm on outpatient clinics. March 9, 10am to noon, at Pewsey Scout Hall on maternity services followed at 1pm to 3pm on outpatient clinics. March 10 at Calne Corn Exchange 10am to noon on maternity services and 1pm to 3pm on outpatient clinics.