As the fourth anniversary of the temporary closure of the maternity unit at Cheltenham General Hospital approaches, frustration and anger are mounting among local residents. The Aveta birth centre was shuttered in 2022 due to staffing shortages and safety concerns, with no clear plan yet to resume services.
Later that year, the overnight postnatal beds at Stroud General Hospital were also closed and remain unavailable. In November 2023, home births were suspended amid serious concerns about staff safety levels, further limiting options for expectant mothers in the area.
This week, an update on the state of maternity services was presented at the Gloucestershire County Council’s health overview and scrutiny committee. Councillor Suzanne Williams emphasized the importance of reopening the Cheltenham unit, noting that having local maternity services makes a significant difference to families. “Being within the community matters to people,” she said. “Even having the name Cheltenham on the birth certificate matters rather than Gloucester. I believe this sentiment also applies to those from the Forest of Dean.”
NHS Gloucestershire Chief Executive Sarah Truelove acknowledged that while the health service is reviewing the entire maternity provision, improving outcomes must be balanced with realistic resource constraints. “We want to understand what’s most important to people in terms of their care and where it’s provided,” she explained.
Councillor Andrew Gravells described the closure as “semi-permanent” after four years, expressing the growing impatience and anger in Cheltenham and Stroud. Councillor Richard Dean also highlighted the public’s need for clear progress updates and timelines for reopening the services.
Kevin McNamara, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, accepted that the prolonged closure has been problematic. He stressed the imperative to ensure maternity units operate safely, avoiding future safety incidents. McNamara admitted uncertainty about whether current service locations and delivery methods best meet community needs.
The trust plans to present a “case for change” to the committee in the coming months, outlining a strategy for modernizing and sustaining maternity care. While no definitive reopening dates have been set, home births will be permitted again, though the timeline remains unspecified.
“We are fully committed to developing safer, more sustainable maternity services,” McNamara affirmed. “This is a priority, not something we intend to delay.” The “case for change” consultation scheduled for May will initiate discussions on possible future options, but definitive answers on reopening dates are not expected at that time.