Stroud Hospital is under threat (From Stroud News and Journal)

Stroud Hospital is under threat

STROUD Maternity Hospital is under threat of closure - just eight years after the SNJ successfully fought to save the unit.

NHS chiefs revealed yesterday, Tuesday, that a major shake-up of health services is needed in Gloucestershire because of a cash crisis.

One suggestion is to house all specialist services, including maternity care, on one site. Richard James, chief executive of the Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust, said a full proposal is expected soon.

"If a proposal comes forward and makes financial sense Stroud Maternity Hospital will be part of that consultation," he said.

When pushed about the possibility of closure he said: "That is a possibility if this proposal is to go forward.

The SNJ led a campaign which saved the hospital in 1998.

The new threat was met with anger.

Stroud district councillor John Marjoram (Green, Trinity) was 'disgusted' by the threat and said the community would fight to save the hospital.

"It's absolutely disgraceful and we will fight to save it tooth and nail," he said.

"Any change would mean mothers going to Gloucester when we have a brilliant hospital with such a great name in Stroud."

Dr Nigel Booker, a GP at Prices Mill surgery, Nailsworth, said: "If it closed it would be a great loss for Stroud.

"The feedback I get from mothers is that it is a wonderful place to have a baby and brilliantly run."

Mother Rachael Hunt, 23, from France Lynch, Chalford, has had two babies at Stroud Maternity and is now raising cash for the unit.

In February she gave birth in the car on the way.

Ms Hunt, whose children are Oliver, 22 months and Amber, one month, was horrified by the threat.

"I received wonderful personal care and I'm deeply shocked," she said.