The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has voiced concerns over potential closures of maternity units in Norfolk, warning that such moves could force women to travel "unacceptable distances" while in labor. The union also stated that the closure of consultant-led maternity units could lead to the shutdown of interdependent neonatal units and children's inpatient wards.
Options under consideration include maintaining services as they are or closing consultant-led maternity units at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, or both facilities. These potential changes could affect not only women in Norfolk but also those in Lowestoft, north Suffolk, Wisbech, and north-east Cambridgeshire, who rely on these hospitals for maternity care.
The RCM argues that these proposals risk exacerbating existing inequalities in maternity outcomes and suggests that investment and increased staffing, rather than service reductions, are the needed solutions. The union also noted that closures might result in midwives being relocated further from their homes. "Women and babies deserve safe, local care, and closing units is not the answer," the RCM stated.
NHS bosses developed a review, known as "The Case for Change," which cited falling birth rates, workforce shortages, and an increasing number of women requiring more complex care as factors making it difficult to sustain specialist services at every location. Lesley Dwyer, NWUHG chief executive, described the review as one of the most significant pieces of work undertaken by the organization to ensure long-term service sustainability. She emphasized that the scenarios examined are preliminary and not formal proposals, with no decisions made regarding the closure or relocation of services. "Patient safety must remain at the centre of this work," Dwyer stated, adding that the impact on choice, travel, access, and the experiences of women, babies, children, and families needs thorough understanding.
The review will be submitted to NHS England for further research and public consultation.