to think the pct made a huge mistake?

[calamityboo]

We have just found out that darley birth centre in matlock is to close! They say it is because of only 100 actual births a year, but it is not publicized as an option in our nearest hospital (25 mins away) for women, this beautiful midwife led unit can only have low risk births but is open 24/7 which was really useful during my 42 hour labour as I was able to go to them to be checked instead of going to the main hospital (3 times) before I was ready to go and deliver, I had to deliver in the hospital because of medical reasons but was able to return to the local unit to recover, had help with feeding, the unit was relaxed and homely where baby and I could get to know each other. They also provided all the anti natal care and were on hand whenever you needed them. This will be a massive loss to matlock and the surrounding areas!

Anotherblooming Buxton needs a proper maternity service which can equal services as Stepping Hill and other hospital maternity units.

I've always thought that for Corber to be financially viable it needed to extend so that mothers didn't end up relying on the overstretched services at SH anyway.(For assisted births)
I have a number of friends who have been to Corber and they have started off there, have been transported to SH as an emergency and transported back with their baby. A 30/40 min trip.
As I said, a full maternity service is what is needed in Buxton.
As it stood, Corber couldn't offer this service.

I agree Completely Kitty i am one of the transfers myself and you are absolutly correct Corber and the Cottage Hospital are good for what the are but they are not enough, we need a proper A&E department and Proper Maternity services.

We rely on the Overstretched services at Stepping Hill far to much.

Those transfers will take place by ambulance yes? So your not really going to create anymore trips are you! If anything it may reduce as people will make their own way to the hospital in most cases.

Some of the money saved could be used to improve services at the hospital, the staff from the centre can be transferred to the hopsital etc improving services for all hopefully.

There was uproar when 2 local maternity services where merged (again leading to 20 mile plus trips for people in rural areas) but 5 or more years down the line the general consensus is that services have actually improved as a result.

Sirzy-Those transfers will take place by ambulance yes? So your not really going to create anymore trips are you! If anything it may reduce as people will make their own way to the hospital in most cases.

Well if most people make their way to a hospital which provides comprehensive care for mothers giving birth then money won't be wasted on transport. There will be one cost accrued at one place.

However, a maternity unit which doesn't cater for difficult births or assisted delivery will incur costs in 3 ways- firstly maternity care at the unit itself, then transport to major hospital, then emergency maternity care at the second hospital.

Buxton (as an example) needs a full maternity service, instead it will now have none.

Dps sister used to live in Bakewell and had her ds in Chesterfield hospital. We often passed the Darley centre and thought it looked nice and convenient. Hope it manages to stay open. As for the cat and fiddle to Macclesfield, not a road for a woman in labour is all I can say!