Positive update welcomed about maternity services in Hartlepool

Published Friday, 9th August 2019

The Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council has welcomed the reassurances he has received about the future of maternity services in the town.

It follows a positive meeting with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust about maternity provision at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Councillor Shane Moore, who is also Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, called for the meeting after reports the Holdforth Road site wasn’t currently delivering babies due to staffing problems.

Councillor Moore said: “We’ve had a very helpful meeting with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust and have been reassured we are on course to see a fully operational maternity hub, with a full complement of midwives, to be in place by autumn of this year. Hartlepool is leading the way on the introduction of maternity hubs and this is a first for the Foundation Trust.     

“Residents will recall that the Council’s Audit and Governance Committee called for the creation of a maternity hub in the town following an in-depth investigation into services and I am delighted the trust is still fully supportive of that proposal.

“The trust was very open with us that they have – in line with national trends – experienced midwifery shortages, but stressed they have worked hard to address this via a successful recruitment campaign and they expect to have a full complement by September.

“The Council’s Audit and Governance Committee will receive an update from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust about the creation and development of a maternity hub on Thursday 22 August.

“Moving forward, we will be working with the trust to ensure this is a fully utilised birthing unit and not just a maternity hub that provides pre and post-natal services. 

“In particular, we are looking forward to working with the trust to increase the number of women who give birth at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.”