Threat to postnatal hospital beds

NEW mums recovering from childbirth may soon not be able to do so in Chippenham as postnatal beds are put under threat.

Concerns that Chippenham will lose the service for new mums has been raised by councillors who want to see postnatal beds kept running in the town.

A consultation into maternity services in Wiltshire and B&NES proposes that Chippenham birthing unit will stop providing overnight accommodation for new mums to recover from birth.

There are currently five beds available and are used by mums who have had a Caesarian section or need support breastfeeding.

According to the consultation, 95 per cent of beds at free-standing units are left empty as women rarely need to stay in a community hospital after giving birth.

It says closing postnatal beds means resources can be used to offer better breastfeeding support and postnatal care in the home.

A total of 89 postnatal beds at the obstetric units at Royal United Hospital in Bath, Salisbury District Hospital and Great Western Hos- pital, Swindon, will remain in use.

Mums from a local baby and toddler group have said the unit is a valuable resource.

Among them was Alana Neads, who lives in Corsham and spent two days in a postnatal bed to recover from a Caesarian delivery of her second child.

She said: “It was very stressful in Bath but going to Chippenham really helped my recovery. Bath is so much more clinical.”

Chippenham Town Council will decide tomorrow evening whether to form a working group.