The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Montrose: All births halted at maternity unit.
NHS says staffing shortages to blame for ‘difficult decision’
Mums-to-be have been told they will not be able to give birth at the maternity unit in Montrose until at least September.
Staff shortages have been blamed for the move that will come into effect today at the award-winning unit which usually supports 12 births per month.
Kim Cromar, 33, from Brechin, is due to give birth to her first child in three weeks and she described it as “gutting news”.
“My heart was set on giving birth in Montrose and to be thrown this curve ball three weeks before my due date is devastating,” she said.
“It’s a daunting enough time as it is without having to change your plans at this stage and try to figure out what is best for you and your baby.”
Kim, who works in telesales with a heavy building materials firm, said her husband Kevin is “equally upset” by the temporary closure.
“A few people have told me that they birth more babies in Montrose than Arbroath so why close Montrose?” she said.
“It’s more central for those who stay up the coast in places such as Brechin.”
The unit will remain open Monday to Friday, from 8am until 5pm, to provide antenatal and postnatal care for Angus women.
Justine Craig, head of midwifery for NHS Tayside, said: “As a result of staffing shortages, we have had to make the difficult decision to temporarily close Montrose Community Maternity Unit for births, with women being given a choice of where they would like to give birth instead.
“We know that this may be upsetting for some women who had planned to give birth at Montrose, however we must provide a maternity service with appropriately skilled staff which is safe for women and staff.
“Our Montrose maternity team and other support staff will be working out of the Community Maternity Unit at Arbroath Infirmary alongside the Arbroath maternity team and this will ensure continuity of care.
“Women in Angus will continue to have the full range of options for place of birth which include Arbroath CMU, the Dundee Midwifery Unit, home birth or birth in a consultant-led unit in Ninewells Hospital.
“Women who were due to give birth at Montrose are being contacted and advised about the new arrangements and will be able to discuss birth options with an Angus community midwife, where further information will be provided and any concerns discussed.”
Montrose councillor David May slammed NHS Tayside for waiting until less than 24 hours before the closure to make the news public.
He said: “I am appalled at how poor NHS Tayside are at informing the residents in Montrose, and especially the expectant mothers and their partners, about the fact that not only is the maternity unit in Montrose going to temporarily close but also the reasons for the closure.”