County Derry maternity unit again under threat

The maternity unit at a County Derry hospital could be closed under proposals to be tabled at a Northern HSC Trust board meeting on Thursday.

A background briefing seen by Derry Now has revealed births at Causeway Hospital's maternity unit in Coleraine are expected to fall below 900 by the end of 2022.

The retirement of a consultant and recent departure of another has meant that 40% of on-call activity in the unit now relies on locum cover.

The document refers to the 'stark reality' that it is proving difficult to recruit consultants in obstetrics and gynaecology to work at Causeway, with a recent attempt at recruitment attracting no applicants, something the document says is 'unprecedented'.

The briefing also says Causeway has struggled to recruit midwifery staff and that the 'lack of opportunity for learning' is 'unappealing' to midwives.

Two clinically deliverable options have been outlined by the paper; the first being to move all consultant-led births to Antrim Area Hospital with a free-standing midwifery unit remaining at Causeway, along with early pregnancy assessment units, anenatal and postnatal clinics and scheduled ambulatory services.

The paper notes this option would be subject to the outcome of the Coroner's recommendation for a comprehensive review by the Department of staff numbers, training and policies following the recent 'very unfortunate' death of a baby at the FMU in Lagan Valley.

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The second option involves moving all births to the Antrim site, with the early pregnancy assessment units, antenatal and postnatal clinics and ambulatory services remaining at the Causeway site.

Both options will be brought before a meeting of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) that will take place on Thursday November 24.

If approval is granted, the Trust will then embark on a 14-week consultation period, while any changes would need to secure support from the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG).

Ultimate approval for any changes would have to come from the Department of Health (DOH).

East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said any change would need to be given 'careful consideration'.

"Back in 2012 we were told that maternity services here at Causeway were under threat and it  is concerning that ten years on the Trust has been unable to take the steps needed to secure this service," she said.

"Knowing that you can get to a hospital quickly is an important part of any mother’s birth plan and with recent issues around ambulance service provision, the prospect of having to travel to the likes of Antrim will be a real concern.

"I have no doubt this will make people anxious and I would strongly encourage everyone to make their views known when the time comes.

"We need to ensure that expectant mothers here in Causeway Coast and Glens have timely access to an appropriate and safe level of maternity care."

The Department of Health (DOH) said it understood the 'sensitivities and anxieties' involved.

"The Department of Health has been advised by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust of its planned public consultation on the future of acute maternity services in its area," said a spokesperson.

"The Trust has also kept the Department informed on the fragility of the current configuration of services.

"The Department fully understands the sensitivities and anxieties of individuals and communities that potential changes to services can create, and therefore requires Trusts to carry out extensive consultation prior to any planned change.

"Recommendations and proposals from the consultation will come to the Department for assessment. Central criteria in this assessment will be how best to provide safe and sustainable care that meets the needs of the community.

"Any permanent changes to services will require Ministerial/Departmental approval," they added.