Darlington Memorial Hospital petition

[Teachjay]

Hope it is ok to post this here - it looks like the hospital services are going to be downgraded - A&E and the consultant-led maternity service both in the firing line. If you could have a read and sign the petition that would be great!

www.change.org/p/county-durham-and-darlington-nhs-foundation-trust-save-our-services-at-darlington-memorial-hospital?recruiter=374669376&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=mob-xs-no_src-no_msg&fb_ref=Default

Bloody hell I didn't know that! I'm from there originally. This happened to Hartlepool and now it's almost gone.

Where would everyone go? Presumably a combination of durham and north tees or James Cook?

I read something in one of the local papers recently about twin deliveries being moved to James Cook.

Sounded like there'd been a fairly damning review that had recommended a number of improvements the hospital needed to make to its maternity services.

Frankly, if I'd been planning any sort of delivery at Darlington, that news would have been off-putting.

The recent official reports from Durham and Darlington trust are terrible. There are serious safety concerns. Anyone remember Morecombe Bay and the Kirkup report? There are striking similarities in terms of the workplace culture and relationship between midwives and doctors. There is a lot of work to be done. I strongly agree that we need to retain midwifery services in Darlington but a restructure is needed.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/14554662.Twins_will_not_be_born_at_Darlington_Hospital_as_interim_measure_following_maternity_services_review/

That's the article I saw about the twin births being moved to James Cook. If that's an accurate reflection of the official report, it would really put me off giving birth in Darlington Memorial Hospital at the minute.

I can't fault Darlington a&e and children's care, and I have used them a lot recently.
I understand the maternity concerns but I'm not sure downgrading is the answer when it could be put right.

I'll see if I am able to add this thread to the newsletter. If I am, it might get some more support.