Thousands join fight to save Solihull maternity services

Jul 9 2009 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

THOUSANDS have backed a fight to keep complete maternity services in Solihull.

A Facebook group – Save Solihull’s Maternity Services – attracted 1,000 members on the popular website within days of going online.

And 2,000 residents queued up to sign a petition to stop Heart of England Foundation Trust moving ahead with plans to stop high-risk deliveries at Solihull Hospital.

Solihull resident Kelly Marie Newton wrote on Facebook: “I’m 16 weeks pregnant with my first child.

“I’m nervous that, if Solihull and Heartlands are full when I go into labour, I’d have to get to Good Hope in Sutton Coldfield. “I live in Solihull. I don’t even know where Good Hope is, never mind wish to have my child there, miles from anyone I know. What chance have parents got if their options are reduced further?”

Trust bosses said the changes were being made to achieve new national guidelines on making maternity units safer.