AN UPDATE was provided on postnatal bed closures at Stroud Maternity Hospital.

This follows a recent review in January for the provision of services across various units in the county. 

Stroud Maternity is open but postnatal beds remain closed. 

Stroud News and Journal:

  • Postnatal care for families in Stroud continues to be available in the first 6/12 hours post birth in Stroud birthing rooms after which families are discharged home.
  • If a mother or baby born at Stroud needs postnatal care that requires on-going in hospital monitoring, this will be accommodated on the maternity ward at GRH
  • The community midwifery service in Stroud remains unchanged.
  • Women are offered home visits or the opportunity to attend a postnatal clinic run by midwives in the postnatal period

Breastfeeding parent support is also available at the unit.

Chief Nurse Matt Holdaway said: “With staffing levels remaining uncertain, these limited temporary suspensions will be reviewed again in April this year, when we hope to provide a more detailed picture of the likely timeline for the reinstatement of these services.

“The safety of all babies, women and birthing people remains the guiding principle behind every difficult decision.

"We strive to retain as much choice as possible for women and families within the difficult circumstances we are currently operating in and apologise to everyone who continues to be affected by the difficult choices we have to make.”

All the services at the Gloucester Birth Unit and the Central Delivery Suite, both in the Women’s Centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (GRH), are unaffected by these temporary changes.

The midwifery recruitment team has implemented several targeted initiatives.

Although they have recruited several new midwives over the last few months and have seven more new midwives starting with them in February and March, this must be balanced against maternity leave, sickness absence and resignations.

This challenging environment is a national issue, as outlined by the Royal College of Midwives this month.

The Cheltenham Aveta birth unit will remain closed for labour and birth

All other services at the unit, including planned antenatal care, continue to be provided.