The birthing suite at Edgware Community Hospital will also close, but Barnet Hospital’s maternity service is being retained

Royal Free Hospital (credit beareye2010 via Wikimedia Commons)

North London NHS bosses have confirmed the closure of a maternity unit in Camden borough – while retaining those at Barnet, North Middlesex, Whittington and University College hospitals.

For the past few years North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB) – which oversees and co-ordinates health services across five boroughs – had been considering whether to close one of the area’s maternity units and, if so, which one.

The two maternity units most likely to face the chop were those at Whittington Hospital in Archway and Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, and it’s now been confirmed that the latter will be closed, with the Whittington retained.

The closure, which will be made gradually rather than imminently, comes in response to declining birth rates across North London.

Dr Josephine Sauvage, a local GP and medical director for the ‘Start Well’ programme which has been examining local maternity and neonatal services on behalf of North Central London (ICB), said: “We want to consistently provide the very best quality services for babies, children and parents – wherever they are – across our communities.” 

A further part of the proposals will see the expansion of antenatal and postnatal care services at Edgware Community Hospital, but at the expense of the hospital’s birthing suite. In recent years it had only seen an average of 50 births annually, and will now be closed.

Dr Sauvage added that the changing needs of local people have been at the heart of the proposals. She said: “We have a declining birth rate in our area, and the need for more complex support for mothers, pregnant people and their babies is growing. ”

Frances O’Callaghan, chief executive of North Central London ICB, said: “As the board discussion reflected, these have been difficult and significant decisions.

“We know how hard staff work to provide services which are highly valued. However, the current arrangements cannot continue as they are.”

She added that the consultation raised some important issues and questions which will form the focus of the next phase of work. “We heard some very important feedback, questions and challenge during the consultation and have taken this on board.   

“As we move forward, we are committed to continuing the conversation, working with local residents to ensure our services meet the different needs of our communities, as well as closely supporting staff who might be impacted in the future.”

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