I was disappointed to receive the news that a decision has been made by the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to pause births at Crowborough Birthing Centre from next month until May next year.
Upon receiving this information, I have immediately contacted the Trust to request an urgent meeting, which has been confirmed for, Friday, 12th September. I have also written to the Secretary of State for Health regarding the matter.
The Birthing Centre is a key community asset, run by a dedicated team of experienced midwives. I have always supported it in the past and I know from the amount of correspondence received overnight how valued it is by local mothers and the wider community.
Over the last 10 years, I have fought alongside The Friends of Crowborough Hospital many times against the Centre’s closure and campaigned for its prompt reopening when poor, shortsighted decisions about the facility were made by the Trust, most notably during the Covid pandemic.
Knowing how important the Birthing Centre is to the local community, and to those further afield, I have set up a petition so that we can communicate to the NHS Trust how many people want to see the Centre remain open.