Stroud Maternity provides a countywide midwife led service that is widely known to be of a very high quality. The midwives at Stroud are skilled in helping women give birth within a low-tech environment, and in caring for women planning an active birth with little or no intervention. It is situated in the heart of Stroud, next to Stroud General Hospital in Field Road.
There are eight postnatal beds, two delivery rooms and a third room with a birthing pool, together with a 24 -hour helpline. There are Consultant clinics for specialist obstetric advice. The unit provides a number of fine services to complement ante-natal care-:
- Ante-natal education classes for mother and partner
- Twins Club for before and after birth
- Monitoring of baby's heartbeat, if necessary
- Ultrasound at Stroud General Hospital
It is also known for the caring quality of its postnatal care and it is possible to transfer back to Stroud after giving birth in another unit. Midwives and support staff are always on hand to help mothers establish their choice of feeding. Working with National Childbirth Trust breastfeeding councillors and breastfeeding peer support groups 75% of women go home from Stroud breastfeeding their babies.
Stroud Maternity has been threatened with closure before. In 1998 a review was undertaken and usage targets set for its viable continuation. These targets have been achieved, and Stroud Maternity is thriving. Despite a falling birthrate the percentage of women choosing Stroud Maternity has risen. In 1998 over thirty thousand people signed a petition in support of this valuable community facility.
There was a county maternity review in progress but this has been paused because of the immediate financial crisis which has resulted in proposals which would centralise all obstetric services at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
County Health Chief Executives have now decided to propose the closure of Stroud Maternity solely for financial reasons.
The Chief Executive of the Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust Mr Richard James praises the quality of care provided at Stroud Maternity and it is inconceivable that an acknowledged centre of excellence could be closed in a rush for financial savings. We do not believe that the case for significant savings has been made by the Trusts.