Comment

Mr Penning and Mr Shapps

WELWYN HATFIELD MP Grant Shapps has labelled the looming closure of the maternity ward at the QEII "reckless and dangerous".

Mr Shapps made his comments after a recent visit to the hospital where he gave a tour of the facilities to Shadow Health Minister Mike Penning.

The MP wanted to show what the local NHS trust intends to do when the maternity and accident and emergency units are closed in 2010.

Mr Shapps said: "It's still hard to believe that anyone could think it's a good idea for us to lose our maternity unit when at the same time this Government is intent on massively expanding our population."

"It seems absolutely obvious to all residents in Welwyn and Hatfield, if we are going to expand the population then having nowhere for people to have their babies is both reckless and dangerous.

"It's quite clear that the Department of Health either doesn't know or doesn't care that we are due to see thousands of homes built locally, otherwise they wouldn't be allowing our services to be axed at the QEII.

"I wanted to show the Shadow Health Minister around in person, so he could see for himself what a ridiculous situation we face."

Mr Penning said: "While I realise the pressures faced by management I think that Grant Shapps and his constituents have very understandable and valid concerns about the closure of acute services locally."

But East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust spokesman Peter Gibson said women in the Welwyn Garden City area had nothing to be alarmed about.

He said: "All emergency services will be moved to the Lister between 2010 and 2012, so if you are going to have your baby after this date then you will have it there.

"Women will not be travelling to the Lister for all ante-natal services, they will remain local and the midwives will also still be around in the local community.

"The maternity unit at Lister will be expanded to accommodate for the number of births that will take place there."

10:39am Thursday 8th May 2008

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