GP speaks out on maternity

THIS is a letter from Dr Pam Herbert, Warrior Street surgery:

Dear Sir,I was very intrigued to read in the Letters page that Mr Nick Yeo, our PCT CEO believes in Clinical Need as being the most important factor in this debate.

I would therefore point out that the Clinical need is for a maternity unit on both sites, capable of dealing with routine obstetrics. Our maternity patient needs to have access to their obstetric care as close to home as possible, especially where the vast majority find it difficult to get to the hospital by bus( if they do not have access to a car)- expecting either group of women to travel the treacherous A259 while in labour is unrealistic.

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I believe there is a hidden agenda of trying to cut costs - I feel there should be transparency about this matter. We are in the fortunate position in our PCT and Trust that we have a balanced budget- why,therefore are we talking about a costcutting exercise in this arena anyway?

As a local GP, I remain deeply concerned about the matter. The '5th option' -set out by the Friends of Conquest Group - in the Public Consultation provides for routine, low risk obstetric care on both sites, and should be the option we vote for.

What do you think? Is she right? Join our debate below.

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