HEALTH chiefs suggesting replacing the maternity department at the Alexandra Hospital for a midwife-led birthing centre were accused of "being in cloud cuckoo land".

A tirade of criticism against the cost-cutting proposals to have the only consultant led maternity department in the county at Worcester was led by Redditch councillor Carole Gandy, who spoke out at one of two public meetings held last week to discuss the proposed loss of services at the Alex, such as maternity, paediatrics and gynaecology.

Under these suggestions, expectant mums would be given the choice of going to Worcester or to a more local birthing centre. However, it is not yet known whether a proposed birthing centre would actually be in Redditch.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Jon Rostill said "Women will have the choice to go to a midwife-led unit or to a consultant-led unit. That is what choice is about."

But Mrs Gandy, who has worked in the NHS, said: "I think what you are saying is in cloud cuckoo land. All those who can afford to travel to Worcester will choose to go to the consultant led unit, bearing in mind that having a baby is one of the most joyful and traumatic time in your life. This means that only those who cannot afford to travel to Worcester will use the birthing centres. That is grossly unfair and that is not choice."

Mr Rostill said only low-risk mums would be eligible to give birth at the midwife led centres.

He also said that despite having to close the Wyre Forest birthing centre in 2003 following six deaths in three years, residents in the area were now demanding it be reopened.

Mr Rostill said should a birthing centre be offered it would have to follow national protocol very carefully to ensure safe deliveries.

However, the 60-strong audience unanimously voted to keep the consultant-led maternity services at the Alex.

Following the meeting Redditch's MP, Jacqui Smith, whose representatives were there, said: "I welcome the movement of the trust so far in drawing back from threats hanging over A&E and cancer services at the Alex. However, they should lift the threat hanging over consultant led maternity services too."

Response from No 10

A REPLY has been received by your Advertiser/Messenger from Tony Blair to the Save the Alex petition, letters and newspaper articles delivered in person to Downing Street by editor Alan Wallcroft and Bromsgrove's MP, Julie Kirkbride.

It apologises for the delay in replying and says the Prime Minister is arranging for a minister in the Department of Health to reply to the points raised in the petition and letters.