Don't shut our maternity unit at Scunthorpe General Hospital - parents urge health officials
PARENTS who have had babies at Scunthorpe General Hospital have today urged officials to keep the maternity unit open.
Health bosses reviewing the future of the unit have confirmed that it could close as part of a wide-ranging assessment of services in the region.
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Greg Higgins with his partner Tina and son Jason
But mothers and fathers, including those pictured above, say shutting it would be devastating for the town.
Tina Newmarch, 28, gave birth to her son Jason three years ago after an emergency Caesarean.
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And her fiance, Greg Higgins, 26, said their baby may have died if they had not been able to go to Scunthorpe General.
They were at home when they began to worry the baby was not moving and after calling the ward, were there within 15 minutes.
Three hours later, Jason was delivered.
Mr Higgins said: "The maternity ward saved his life as his heart rate was very low and he needed to be delivered quickly.
"The midwives were great and reassured us.
"If it was not for Scunthorpe General Hospital, my son may not have made it and I am very grateful to the service.
"It would be very sad to see any changes made to it or if it was to be closed because the centre does a great job."
Ms Newmarch, of Kirmington, said: "It would have been more difficult to get to Grimsby and Goole hospitals.
"I think they should definitely take other measures first before closing it."
Scunthorpe man Mark Betts' wife gave birth to their first baby after a caesarean on Monday, February 4.
He said: "We are disgusted they are thinking about closing the maternity unit at Scunthorpe General Hospital. The staff who work in the maternity ward and on the delivery suite, are truly angels. Without these services in Scunthorpe, I'm afraid things will suffer."
Karen Jackson, chief executive of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, reveals today in an interview: "Shutting Scunthorpe maternity may be one of the many options looked at, but there will be lots of options."
What do you think? viewpoint@scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk
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