THE future of Trowbridge birthing unit and whether it will stop helping mum's give birth at the unit is set to decided soon as the maternity consultation moves into the next phase.

Health bosses say that the Trowbridge unit will still provide pre natal care, but stopping births will mean midwives can be free up to work at busier units in other places such as the RUH in Bath.

The plans include a bid to create a dedicated midwifery unit at the hospital.

Overnight post natal beds at Chippenham freestanding midwifery unit for new mums could be also cut under plans to shake up maternity service across the area.

The results of a public consultation into plans to close four post natal beds in Chippenham's community hospital are currently being reviewed by NHS England.

Health leaders says the change in chippenham will mean mums can be helped closer to or in their own homes or in an acute hospital if they need medical care, but some locals argue the beds offer woman a vital support service in the days after giving birth.

Lucy Baker from Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group told the health and wellbeing committee at County Hall in Trowbridge said: "We've now completed the consultation, there has been a full academic analysis of results we have now presented them to an independent expert panel that included service users, to look at are they the right recommendations.

"We are now in the process of making a decision making business case which is due to go through scrutiny in October to NHS England. The only delay we might have is if a general election is called."