CAMPAIGNERS battling plans to close birthing services at a Lichfield maternity unit have taken part in a “pram protest”.
The group gathered in Lichfield city centre for the event over the weekend.
They are hoping to raise awareness of their battle to halt the proposals which could see the temporary closure of birthing facilities after they were temporarily halted during the Covid pandemic.
Campaigner Hannah Weaver said:
“This is about safeguarding care for future generations.
“We need more support for maternity services, not more cuts. The Samuel Johnson unit is a much-loved and much-needed facility.”
Health chiefs from the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) say more than 800 people have already had their say in online and face-to-face meetings.
But time is running out with a survey set to close at midnight on 3rd August.
Heather Johnstone, a former midwife and the ICB’s chief nursing and therapies officer, said:
“There is no intention to close the units, which are used as bases for community midwives, and provide post-natal and ante-natal appointments for women and families, as they have for the past five years.
“We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to fill in the survey, come to an event, or spoken to our staff at the hospital sites or community groups.
“If you haven’t yet got in touch, you’ve got just under a month to do so. We would appreciate hearing your thoughts and ideas so these can be carefully considered, as no final decisions have been made.”
The survey can be completed online.
