WCH to lose maternity beds ?

The Whitehaven News has a story suggesting that as part of the reduction in bed numbers resulting from the "Closer to Home" consultation, the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven might lose eight maternity beds, (dropping from 23 to 15).

It is also suggested that two beds might be removed from the SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit) and five beds might be lost in paediatrics.

A bed planning exercise was carried out recently by the North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS trust following on from discussion about bed numbers during the the "Closer to Home" consultation period. At the moment the trust is refusing to comment about proposed bed numbers, although Marie Burnham did say that the review

"looked at potential areas of bed reductions to improve efficiency wihtout affecting patient care. This will be discussed over the coming months with clinicians."

I want to hear what the consultants have to say about these proposals before jumping to man the barricades but I think it is important that the impact is considered very carefully before any bed reductions are implemented.