Fears over maternity ward closure

A midwife is claiming the lives of mothers and their babies are being put in jeopardy by the closure of one six-bed hospital maternity ward.

The Milton Keynes Hospital employee said some women who have come in for an induced pregnancy have had to be turned away because of the closure of Ward 10.

A hospital spokesman said: "The safety of mothers and babies is of paramount importance in the decisions we take."

He said the antenatal beds in the ward were often closed when demand was low.

There are going to be more ill babies as a result of closing Ward 10 Milton Keynes Hospital midwife

The six-bed ward is not open at present because the hospital has put a halt to employing agency staff to help save £3m.

The midwife, who has asked not to be named, told the BBC she was concerned about the health of babies and mothers-to-be.

'Claims disputed'

"We've had cases of woman who have come to be induced and we've had to turn them away and say we're really sorry but we have no beds," she said.

"If the woman goes too far over due as the placenta doesn't work as well then that could cause problems for the baby.

"There are going to be more ill babies as a result of closing Ward 10."

A hospital spokesman told the BBC: "The trust disputes the claim that maternity patients in Milton Keynes Hospital are at risk.

"Antenatal beds are used flexibly as demand dictates. This area is often closed when demand is low.

"It has already been closed a number of times this year without any impact on patients.

"Although the six antenatal beds in question are not being used at the moment, antenatal patients can still and are being accommodated within the maternity unit and are being nursed appropriately by staff with the right skills for the patients concerned."