Maternity unit is ‘salt in the wound’

Rochdale Infirmary will lose its maternity ward in 2012

Rochdale is losing its maternity ward – yet Oldham is to get a brand new maternity unit.

A new maternity and neonatal unit has been earmarked for The Royal Oldham Hospital as part of a huge £100M Government boost across Greater Manchester.

Health Minister Phil Hope announced yesterday (Tuesday 19 May) how the ward will be built as part of a scheme to improve services to for women and children, yet Rochdale Infirmary will lose its maternity ward completely in 2012.

Anger was expressed across the borough when the news landed of closure for next year, a date which has now been set back.

A business plan for the multi-million-pound investment is currently being drawn up by Pennine Acute NHS Trust. No final decisions have been made and it is unclear how much will be spend on the new unit.

Mother-of-two Louise Hamilton, of Castleton, said she is worried for mums-to-be in Rochdale.

She said: “It will be great is Oldham gets the new unit but it’s like Rochdale is a forgotten town. I had my children here but I fear mums who have to travel all that way in future.”

“To take ours away and then give a Oldham such a boost is salt in the wound, I’m sure lots of people would agree.”

A Trust spokesman said: “The Royal Oldham Hospital will play a major role in the development of services for families, young people and babies in Greater Manchester as part of the Making it Better programme.

“Pennine Acute Trust is developing plans for new and refurbished facilities for maternity, neonatal and children’s services at the Royal Oldham Hospital.”