Has the low number of midwives really led to the closure of the maternity unit at Pontefract Hospital?
Well, in 2019 the Friarwood Birth Centre temporarily shut because of the decreasing number of midwives however, it has now been officially closed for good. The births at Pontefract Hospital were lower than expected, meaning that midwives being deployed at the hospital cannot be justified. A NHS report says that only 200 women gave birth at Pontefract before the suspension and of course most midwives worked at hospitals where the numbers of births were a lot higher. MP Yvette Cooper, local labour MP has said that the reason for the decision is the lack of government investment.
Luckily, maternity provision will still continue to be offered at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield and a full range of antenatal and postnatal care would still be available at Pontefract Hospital.