Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns has written to Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) calling for St Mary's post-natal unit to be retained.
On her Facebook page, the MP shared her letter and said:
At present, the proposals only appear to remove services, not enhance them and I’ve pushed the CCG for specific details of exactly how community-based antenatal, postnatal and breastfeeding support will continue to be delivered from within Melton.
I advocated for St Mary’s postnatal ward to be retained so that women can be cared for close to home and the pressures on the postnatal ward at Leicester reduced.
I also continue to seek a long-term vision for Melton Mowbray hospital overall and confirmation of which services will continue long-term to ensure it remains sustainable and we don’t just see service after service stripped away. I will not accept anything less.
The current plans lack ambition for St Mary’s and are simply not good enough. I call on the CCG to stop hiding behind the wider consultation and address the real and enduring concerns of residents and particularly expectant mothers.
As ever, I will update residents as soon as I have further information.