Fears over merger of maternity services at Sandwell and City hospitals

Apr 25 2009 by Nick McCarthy, Birmingham Mail

MATERNITY services at two hospitals in Birmingham and Sandwell may be merged, it was revealed today.

The merger plan involves City Hospital, in Winson Green, and Sandwell General, in West Bromwich.

It is understood that City Hospital will have a “full blown” maternity unit, with expectant mums being sent there from Sandwell, which will be left with a midwife service.

Last year there was controversy when City Hospital had its accident and emergency department downgraded, leading to a massive backlash from angry patients, campaign groups and politicians.

The Birmingham Mail staged a Big Debate on the plan in 2007 and hospital chiefs eventually compromised, pledging to keep a 24-hour surgical team at City.

Today, Coun Dierdre Alden, who is chair of the council’s health scrutiny committee, said she had feared that City Hospital would not be able to cope with the extra numbers if the maternity plan went ahead.

Coun Alden said: “My understanding is that this merger of services will be discussed at a board meeting next week.

“They are looking at having a ‘full blown’ service at City and leaving a midwife service at the Sandwell site.

“We will be forming a joint committee on this with our counterparts in Sandwell. My first concern is with the levels of service for Birmingham residents, which is a priority for us. I am concerned that City Hospital may not be able to cope with this extra influx of patients if they are merged and an inferior service will be provided.

“My other concern is the same as the one that I had about the A&E merger. Just like A&E, this is described as an interim measure until a new hospital is built.