MOTHERS have voiced their anger over the cutback in maternity services at the Chippenham Community Hospital.

Four postnatal beds in Chippenham will be removed over the next 12 months to be replaced by support closer to, or in women’s homes.

They will be slowly phased out while Wiltshire Clinical Commission Group health chiefs work with the local community to co-create new pathways.

The unit will continue to provide three beds for mums who prefer to give birth at Chippenham and it will continue to provide antenatal and postnatal services.

Cllr John Scragg, of Chippenham Town Council, said: "We are concerned about the situation. We don't like to see the loss of medical services.

"We have had several debates about it over the past year and responded to the public consultation.

"There are lots of issues involved. It is quite complex. We are concerned that mothers get the care they need while having their babies."

But some mothers condemned the decision, saying campaigners should continue to try and save it.

Catherine Thomas said: “Absolutely disgusting that these much-needed beds are being lost at Chippenham.I gave birth at Swindon and the aftercare I received there was atrocious. I was so upset and distressed I asked to be transferred to Chippenham and I couldn’t have asked for better care from those angels.

“I can’t put into words how amazing they were or how much they helped me. I can’t thank them enough.”

Erin Santoro added: “Chippenham has only been given a year’s reprieve. Everyone should group together to save it. I had both my girls there and the experience was wonderful. The midwives are amazing there.”

The final decision to transform maternity services in Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire was made last Thursday by the CCG governing bodies at a meeting at the Dorothy House Hospice Care offices in Winsley. As part of the plans birthing units in Trowbridge and Paulton will close in April and mothers will be encouraged to travel to larger hospitals in Bath, Salisbury and Swindon.

Birthing units at Chippenham and Frome will stay open, while all four units will continue to provide antenatal and postnatal services.

The CCG plans to open new community hubs to give support for women who wish to give birth at home or who are having difficulty breastfeeding their new baby.

The CCG said: “Together, Chippenham and Frome provide the best coverage in terms of travel time to a Freestanding Midwifery Unit

“These birth centre environments are in a better condition so the cost of further improvements will be lower.”

Sarah Merritt, Acting Deputy Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust said: “These proposals will help us provide more choices for birth to more women and will build a strong foundation on which to enhance continuity of care so that more women can see the same midwife or small team of midwives before, during and after labour.

“The addition of Alongside Midwifery Units at the Royal United Hospital in Bath and at Salisbury Hospital will give our birthing mums a new option for labour and delivery, significantly enhancing choices in Salisbury in particular. Our midwives and staff are excited to embrace this new way of working in purpose- built facilities.”

Dr Ruth Grabham, Medical Director for Bath and North East Somerset Clinical

Commissioning Group and Governing Body member said: “As a result of feedback, we have delayed the closure of four of the community postnatal beds to allow more time to work with mums, families and staff to co-design a new community postnatal offer that will meet the needs of local people.

“The feedback, for example around breastfeeding and mental health support, will also be used to help shape our future maternity services.”