Super units for premature babies

Centres of Excellence aim to improve services for patients

A review on the future of children's, maternity and neonatal services in Greater Manchester and parts of Cheshire has been announced.

The changes follow public consultation on the health care provided, as part of the Making It Better plan.

Three super units to treat premature babies and eight centres of excellence for maternity and children's services are to be created.

The changes are planned to happen over the next three to five years.

The Centres of Excellence for maternity and children's services will be based at the following hospitals: Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, Royal Bolton, Royal Oldham, St Mary's, Stepping Hill, Wythenshawe, North Manchester General and Tameside General.

Staff relocation

Neonatal Intensive Care Units will be based at St Mary's, the Royal Oldham and Royal Bolton Hospitals.

Leila Williams, Director of the Children, Young People and Families Network, said: "It is important for us to stress that no jobs will be lost as a result of the changes.

"Staff may choose to work from other locations or in different settings.

"Creating Centres of Excellence for in-patient maternity, children's and neonatal care will save lives.

"The changes may mean that people will no longer access some services at their local hospital, but they will get safer and higher quality care at units staffed by doctors, nurses and midwives who have the right level of experience to treat all patients," she added.

About 51,000 people responded to the Making It Better survey.