Ryedale | Archive | 2003 | August | 06
From the Gazette & Herald, first published Wednesday 6th Aug 2003.
MALTON'S maternity unit is just one step away from securing its future.
A review of maternity services has concluded that there should be no reduction of service at the unit - or at units at Bridlington and Whitby.
Instead, all three units will be developed as low-risk maternity care units, continuing to provide a 24-hour service.
There had been fears that the maternity service at the three community hospitals would be reduced to an 8am to 8pm service, or even that units could be closed entirely.
But Dale Meegan, the chairman of the maternity board charged with the review, said: "After a great deal of hard work by all the contributors, the model that we are recommending is one which builds upon, and enhances, the current service configuration.
"The Bridlington, Whitby and Malton units will be fully developed as midwife-led maternity units for low-risk cases. Scarborough will continue to provide central care for high-risk mothers from across the trust area."
In a further endorsement of Malton, Bridlington and Whitby maternity units, Scarborough Hospital will be developed in a bid to match the environment of the community hospitals.
Mrs Meegan added: "This will allow Scarborough women to enjoy low-intervention care in an environment such as is currently only available at the community hospitals."
The recommendation will now go before a joint executive board of both the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust - which provides the services at the four units - and the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust, which commissions the services, plus the boards of the Yorkshire Wolds and Coast Primary Care Trust and the North and East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority. The joint executive board will decide whether to accept the recommendations of the review.
Ryedale mothers expressed their delight at the news. Mother-of-two Jane Peel said: "I'm very pleased. I think you need somewhere like that in a community. I had both my children there and it was wonderful. It's such a trying time the first few days after you've had a baby, I would have hated to go away to a big hospital where I didn't know anyone and I didn't know the midwife. At Malton, you build up a relationship with the midwives and you feel secure and comfortable with them. They are a wonderful help in the lead up to and during the birth and the after-care is there as well."
Mother-of-three Angie Robinson said: "I went into labour with my third child there, but I had to be taken to York due to complications. Even so, I could come home the next day because of all the care available at Malton Hospital. I would have had to stay much longer if that wasn't there."
Dawn Treacher gave birth to her daughter Clare eight months ago at Scarbrorough, but she transferred back to Malton as soon as possible and felt much happier. Husband Miles said: "They were so nice there - in a bigger hospital you feel like you're on a conveyor belt but they take their time with you at the Malton maternity ward."
Zara Williams has two children, both born in Malton Hospital, and, as she is planning to have another baby, she is particularly pleased that the service will still be available.
"Thank God!" she exclaimed. "I have a 16-month-old baby and we're trying for another and I just thought if that ward closes, there's no way I'm going to Scarborough or York.
"Both my children were born quite quickly and with the second one, I only just made it to Malton Hospital. When they threatened to close it, I thought it's going to end up with babies being born in cars and ambulances and that really isn't ideal. It would also be very difficult for my husband to visit me with our two children, particularly using the Scarborough road during summer with the traffic you get - and can you imagine being in labour in those circumstances?"
Coun Brian Cottam, chairman of Ryedale District Council, said: "It is excellent news - I'm highly delighted. It is good that common sense has prevailed and that local opinion has been listened to.
"It's good to hear that services could be expanded at the hospital because this would be to the benefit of everyone in Ryedale. So many people have campaigned hard for the maternity service to be retained and I am delighted they have succeeded."
Bruce Miller, chairman of The Friends of Malton Hospital, said: "This is very welcome news and will be welcomed by everyone in the area. We look forward to a bright future for the hospital."
The town mayor of Norton, Coun Keith Mennell, said he too was delighted with the news.
"It is very good news - we couldn't have wished for better. I was very concerned about the future of the maternity unit. Twenty-four-hour cover is needed because of the vast rural area Ryedale covers and the fact that the Scarborough and York hospitals are a long journey away, whether in winter when the weather can be bad, or summer when the roads are congested with holiday traffic."
Updated: 10:41 Wednesday, August 06, 2003
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