Plans to reshape maternity services across Gloucestershire have sparked concerns over increased travel demands on midwives. Hospital leaders are working to safely reopen the maternity unit at Cheltenham General Hospital and restore the county’s home births service later this year, after the unit’s temporary closure in April 2022 due to safety concerns and the suspension of home births last November.
For over four years, expectant mothers in Gloucestershire have faced limited birthing options, causing significant frustration. At a Gloucestershire County Council meeting on May 26, hospital officials outlined a new maternity service model designed to address these challenges, including an on-demand service for Cheltenham and Stroud.
Under the proposed plan, midwives would no longer be permanently stationed at the maternity unit in Stroud or at the Aveta Birth Centre. Instead, they would be on call 24/7, ready to attend births as needed. Medical Director Mark Pietroni explained the new system would involve three midwives available around the clock, with an additional midwife on call from Gloucester hospital. The model is flexible and can expand by recruiting more staff if birth rates increase.
READ MORE: Nearly Two Million Illegal Cigarettes Seized in Gloucestershire Trading Standards Crackdown
Councillor Paul Hodgkinson welcomed the news of Cheltenham’s expected autumn reopening but expressed concern about midwives having to travel extensively across the county. He also highlighted worries that postnatal care beds in Stroud would not be reopening under these short-term plans, noting that these beds remain part of the NHS’s medium- to long-term maternity planning.
Hodgkinson stressed the importance of consulting with NHS staff to understand their perspectives, especially regarding the travel demands of the new model. Mr. Pietroni affirmed that safety remains paramount and recognized that a four-year closure is far from temporary. He acknowledged the need to listen to midwives, noting that while they may face increased travel, some may live closer to the areas they serve.
The proposed model aligns with practices in many rural areas across England, potentially providing valuable lessons for Gloucestershire. Discussions also touched on the growing complexity of births, persistent inequalities in care access and outcomes, and ongoing resource constraints. Current maternity workforce models and facilities do not adequately address these evolving challenges, leading to rising costs without corresponding improvements in outcomes.
Chief Nursing Officer Marie Croft highlighted the necessity of improving performance as population needs and case complexities evolve, describing the current maternity services model as “not fit for purpose.” Programme Director for Maternity Helen Ford echoed this sentiment, noting increased demand and a desire from women for more continuity in their care.
The new maternity service plan aims to balance safety, staff well-being, and service accessibility as Gloucestershire works to restore essential maternity services across the county.