Sandra Gidley Hands Petition to Minister

12.00.00am GMT Mon 27th Nov 2006

Local MP Sandra Gidley met with the Health Minster Ivan Lewis this morning along with Barbara Wyant of the Maternity Services Liaison Committee to hand over a petition signed by more than sixteen hundred people against the closure of Romsey birthing centre and to discuss the outcome of the consultation.

Speaking after the meeting, but before the results of Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Sandra said, "While the Minister listened and did seem interested he unfortunately appeared to have made up his mind that Romsey women will still have quite a wide choice over how they give birth and pointed out that the manifesto commitment was to provide a range of choice rather than a birthing unit at each and every location."

"He also pointed out that these decisions should be made locally rather than by Ministers. Whilst I agree with the principle of this it is a shame when decisions made by local bureaucrats appear to ignore public feeling, which is what has happened over the birthing centre consultation."

"On a more positive note some of the concerns raised will be looked at by the Strategic Health Authority, including a request for reassurances that if plans for Ashurst go ahead then Romsey will remain open until the Ashurst unit is opened."

Hopefully Hampshire County Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee will decide to refer the case on to the Secretary of State for Health, in which case it is hoped the points raised in today's meeting will be taken into account.