By Sian Napier
snapier@thekmgroup.co.uk

MP JULIAN Brazier has demanded a meeting with the health trust chief executive to discuss changes to Canterbury birthing unit.
The East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) and NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust are reviewing midwifery staffing in their birthing units in Canterbury, Dover and Ashford.
The trust is suspending births at the Canterbury centre from this week until May while the staff review is carried out, although all its other services will continue as usual in the unit.
It says that the small percentage of mothers-to-be in the low risk group who want to give birth at the Canterbury centre will have the choice of going to birthing centres at Dover or Ashford or having their babies at home.
Mr Brazier said this week that he wants a meeting with trust chief executive Stuart Bain to discuss the changes.
“The Canterbury birthing unit has an outstanding record for safe and intervention-free births and I have asked the chief executive of the East Kent Hospitals Trust to meet me as soon as possible to discuss the implications of the review,” Mr Brazier said.
Canterbury & District branch of the Natural Childbirth Trust says it is also concerned at the temporary changes to Canterbury birthing centre, which it says is an indication that the Government needs to continue to commit extra money for maternity services.
“With the birthing centre in Margate not opening for the foreseeable future, local maternity services are under pressure in this area,” the branch says.
EKHUFT medical director Neil Martin said: “Our priority is that the highest possible standards of safety continue to be applied to mothers giving birth.
“East Kent is extremely proud of the wide choice of birthing options we offer to mothers and we intend to continue offering as much choice as possible.”
Blob: The Canterbury and district branch of the NCT is holding a home birth information evening and details will be published on its website (www.nct.org.uk/canterbury) and on its Facebook group page (NCT Canterbury & District). The branch may also be contacted at nctcanterbury@googlemail.com or on 0844 2436073.