'BABIES AND BUGGIES' RALLY TO DEFEND SOLIHULL MATERNITY SERVICES (Bromsgrove Liberal Democrats)

Bromsgrove Liberal Democrats <raygeoffray@aol.com>

'BABIES AND BUGGIES' RALLY TO DEFEND SOLIHULL MATERNITY SERVICES

August 26, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by West Midlands Liberal Democrats

Lords Health Spokesperson for the Lib Dems and former GP, Baroness Jenny Tonge has been lined up to address a 'babies and buggies' rally for parents and supporters defending Solihull Hospital's maternity services.

The rally will take place at the Royal British Legion's Broomfield Hall in Union Road, Solihull on Friday 11th September, starting at 11.30am

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt, who has set up the event, will also speak.

Commenting today, Lorely Burt said:

"I am delighted that Baroness Tonge has agreed to attend the rally, and will be encouraging mums, dads and supporters to come along with their babies and buggies to help deliver a strong message to Solihull NHS chiefs.

"Parents and families in Solihull are passionate about keeping their local maternity services and do not want to see them downgraded.

"We recognise that the first priority must always be the safety of mother and baby.

"While at-risk births need the more specialised service of Heartlands or elsewhere, converting Solihull to a midwife-led service will mean that Heartlands, which is already overcrowded, will become even more so.

"I have proposed an alternative model which would allow midwives and paediatricians to keep their skills current by rotating them between Heartlands and Solihull, thus still providing a safe service for mothers to be and allowing them to give birth in the calm, comforting atmosphere of their local hospital."