Maternity Services where parents need them? 

First Labour took it away but now, after all these years, they want it back? 

CARES have fought since 2003 to get Children's  A & E and maternity services reinstated back into Southport. 

However,  today the local press reported that a Liverpool  'Labour' councillor, Nina Killen, is now  requesting the services we have been fighting for to be brought back to the point of need. 

Full story here: http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/news/southport-news/sefton-councillor-set-call-increase-7812282

Where exactly was this politician when CARES were fighting for our stolen services back in 2003?

This is just one example of the massive campaign against these cuts below.... 

Report by Cllr. Brenda Porter on:

Public Meeting at Woodvale Community Centre, Meadow Lane, Ainsdale, on Saturday 21^st June 2003.1pm

Issue:  Transfer of Maternity and Children’s Services to Ormskirk.

Organised by:  Cath & Pat Regan 192 Sandbrook Road, Ainsdale.

Chairperson for Meeting:  Councillor Brenda Porter.

Present:

Dr John Pugh Southport M.P.

Cllr Tony Brough (Con) Cllr Barry Griffiths (Con) Formby

Cllr James Grundy (Southport Party) Cllr Ann Ibbs (Con) Formby

Cllr Tommy Mann (Con), Cllr Vince Platt (Con) Formby Cllr M Ridge (Con)

Cllr David Sumner (Lib-Dem).

Members of the public covering all age groups.

Mrs Cath Regan outlined the reasons for calling the meeting and expressed her concerns for the welfare of the women and children who would be affected by the move.  The Chairman highlighted that this had been a Govt. decision and asked if there was an update on their present position. Dr Pugh advised that present legislation favoured “Keep it Local” (May 2003) and that the transfer of services would not meet a ‘Best Practice’ criteria. 

Children’s Services A & E

It was recognised that because of the mixed guidelines being given by Mr Jonathan Parry, regarding children attending the A & E in Southport, the public were becoming more confused. Concern that this unit had been transferred as it was now understood the Shields Report (recommendation 23) had not indicated this would be implemented.  Fears raised that in an emergency/accident parents and children would be separated (different hospitals) to receive appropriate treatment. The importance of immediate medical attention was crucial and fears of delay by attending Ormskirk were raised. This issue highlighted by a grandmother who related a recent incident within her family which proved relevant to the argument. The quick and easy access by visitors to support recovery was felt to be very relevant when dealing with children and was being completely overlooked.

Maternity

Many issues raised highlighting that this transfer of service to Ormskirk would be detrimental to the well being of the mother and child and interfere with the necessary bonding when other children are involved.  Concern that an often perceived “safe birth” could change at time of delivery when a Consultant would be required.  The important factor to many of being a “Sandgrounder” was being completely ignored and though not a danger to the health of mother and baby was felt to be important, as it would change our heritage and history in the future.

Transport

A debate in the House of Commons (December 2001) when the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health Hazel Blears recognised the vital link between transport/health when dealing with issues relating to the Shields Report has unfortunately not been put into practice. It is recognised that to support new or changed facilities in existing hospitals transport was vital. Fear that the Ambulance Service would be unable to deal adequately with all emergencies because of the longer distance to Ormskirk and therefore an extended turnaround time was highlighted and the effect it might have on other departments in the hospital dealing with emergencies. It was felt by many present at the meeting that children were being discriminated against and the following recommendations were proposed and supported by all who attended the above meeting. These recommendations are to be forwarded to Mr Jonathan Parry to be put before the Board of the Southport& Ormskirk NHS Trust.

Recommendations:

·  The Children’s A & E Unit and Children’s Ward be reinstated at the Southport & Formby General Hospital.

· A Consultancy led Maternity Unit be made available at the Southport & Formby General Hospital.

· That a full explanation be given to the members of the public on the reasons the Maternity and Neo-Natal Unit was transferred early to Ormskirk and no added physical space was allocated to them.

Ends. 

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Labour appear to be now seeking to rewrite reality and this is just not on! 

Southport parents just like any others want services for their families at the 'Point of Need',  NOT many miles away.

THE FIGHT CONTINUES