Midwives raise concerns over possible maternity unit closures in Norfolk

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has expressed concern about reports that two maternity units in Norfolk may close, according to BBC Health.

Norfolk currently has maternity units at hospitals in Norwich, Gorleston, and King’s Lynn, with the latter two also serving patients from Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.

The Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group (NWUHG) has outlined a "Case for Change" regarding future service delivery but emphasized that no decisions or consultations have started.

NHS leaders stated that any consolidation of services to one or two sites would aim to provide safer care for women and babies.

The RCM cautioned that closing units in rural and isolated areas could force women to travel long distances, sometimes up to two hours by public transport, while in labor.

The union also noted that neonatal units and children's inpatient wards might close if maternity services are removed, due to their interdependence.

Possible options include maintaining current services or closing consultant-led maternity units at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, or both.