Mums' campaign to fight threatened unit (From Barry And District News)

Mums' campaign to fight threatened unit

A DETERMINED group of mums have turned to their Member of Parliament John Smith in a bid to save the maternity ward at Llandough Hospital from being downgraded.

Katrine Backer, who had her twins Marcus and Caroline at the site 15 months ago, leads Special Care Infants Parents' Support (SCIPS).

They feel the ward offers an essential facility for the Vale of Glamorgan.

Katrine said: "The maternity ward is fantastic at Llandough and we don't think it is right if it is downgraded to a midwife-led facility only. We plan to fight any proposals."

In an effort to stop the downgrading, the campaigners are searching for other like-minded parents to join them in their battle.

Mrs Backer added: "We will do anything in our power and we would really appreciate the help of other mums who had their children at Llandough because they will know how important the facility is."

Fellow group member Laura Berkley-Smith said: "My daughter Olivia is now four-years old. But despite a normal pregnancy, complications set in and she was born ten weeks early. If it hadn't been for the staff at Llandough Hospital neo-natal ward, she wouldn't be with us today. For all potential mums out there, we have to fight this."

John Smith shares the mums' concerns and has undertaken to look into the matter with the health authorities. He said: "Two of my grandchildren were born in Llandough. It would be a shame if other mums in the Vale of Glamorgan had to look further afield for the care that is offered on their doorstep. We are arranging a meeting with the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust to see if we can find some solution to this matter."

A spokesman for Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust said: "Plans to develop women's services provided by this Trust, including neonatal and maternity services, have been fully endorsed by the Trust Board and include both the University Hospital of Wales and Llandough Hospital. However, we are still in discussions with the Local Health Boards regarding the preferred option for how these services could be provided."

If you would like to help the campaign contact Mrs Backer on 01446 747409.