Maternity decision delayed

Rochdale Infirmary

A decision on whether to cut the maternity unit at the Rochdale Infirmary along with two others in Greater Manchester has been deferred.

Campaigners hope the delayed announcement may signal a reprieve for the units at the Rochdale Infirmary, Salford Royal and the Fairfield General Hospital in Bury.

Councillor Jean Ashworth from the Friends of Our Hospital said: “I am really pleased it has been deferred. We have got a good case to put forward and it is up to everyone to get on board.”

Councillor Ashworth said closing the Maternity Unit simply would not work. She expressed concern for the staff on the ward saying it is a like a “death threat hanging over them” but welcomed that they have been given a “glimmer of hope.”

She added: “They have got to look at the birth rate and the geography of the area.

“There will be nothing on the Pennine side for maternity.”

Rochdale Online understands the decision has been deferred because consultation criteria has not been met.

Mike Farrar Chief Executive NHSNW said "NHS North West is mindful of the requirement for additional information to be gathered around midwife led units in respect on the affect on patient choice for women. We are also investigating issues regarding support from GPs and also need to take into account any proposed changes associated with the implementation of Healthy Futures where the NCAT report identified issues that the Trust and the PCTs in that sector should consider.

"We believe that it was important that the Board was fully appraised with these three issues prior to taking a final decision on whether the Secretary of States four tests were fully met."

The decision will now be made in February.