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ONE PAPER ... ALL THE NEWS from Dewsbury, Batley, Ossett, Mirfield, Liversedge, Birstall, Heckmondwike, Cleckheaton & Spen Valley
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Friday November 4, 2016
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No. 762
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BABY SHUTTLE MP demands answers as figures reveal 25% of mums-to-be at new birth centre in Dewsbury were transferred to Pinderfields DEWSBURY’S MP has demanded answers from the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust after it was revealed that more than a quarter of women admitted to the new birthing centre at Dewsbury District Hospital have been transferred to Pinderfields Hospital. Since the midwife-led Bronte Birth Centre opened in September, 27 women have been admitted – but seven had to be transferred to Wakefield to allow a consultant to assist at the birth. The £1.38m Dewsbury facility does not have a consultant on site, meaning that if complications arise during the birth, patients have to be transferred to Pinderfields. Dewsbury & Mirfield Labour MP
By James Morris News Reporter james@thepressnews.co.uk
Paula Sherriff said: “I am concerned to hear that of 27 admissions, seven women had to be transferred from the new birthing unit at Dewsbury District Hospital to Pinderfields General Hospital to give birth. “The Trust states that all transfers were appropriately managed with no adverse outcomes but the question needs to be asked as to whether expectant mothers are fully aware of the limitations of the new birthing unit and, of these seven women, were any deemed high risk before labour?” Ms Sherriff, who is Shadow Women and Equalities Minister, stated that she was planning to
The £1.38m Bronte Birth Centre at Dewsbury is midwife-led. If complications occur during birth, patients are transferred speak to the Trust about the procedures in place for women who experience complications during birth. “I will be raising this issue with the Trust,” she said. “I will be asking for regular updates on births and transfers as I need to be completely satisfied that the safety and welfare of expectant mothers and their unborn children is being placed before cost-cutting measures and managing staffing levels across the Trust.” Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS
Trust said that the current set-up is designed to increase safety for expectant mothers. Gill Pownall, head of midwifery and nursing, said: “All transfers from the birth centre are reviewed and investigated. “All seven have been for sound clinical reasons and ensured the safety of women. “We are unable to give more clinical details due to the potential for a breach of confidentiality. “These transfers are a positive
reflection of the clinical protocols in place to enable women to exercise choice, to birth at our new Bronte Birth Centre whilst being assured that, if needed, they can receive consultant obstetrician support.” ■ Tracy Brabin MP asks for meeting with Health Secretary in Parliament page 4 ■ New birth centre officially opened by family of Jo Cox page 5