We are a growing community in Melton Mowbray, and it is crucial to protect all our health-related services. However, the impending closure of St Mary’s Birth Centre is more than just a Melton issue—it’s a significant concern for the entire University of Leicester Hospitals Trust. St Mary’s Birth Centre has been an invaluable facility for expectant mothers not only in Melton but also from across Leicestershire and Rutland. Many choose it for its outstanding maternity and postnatal care, characterised by a nurturing environment and exceptional professional support.

Despite the invaluable services provided by St Mary’s Birth Centre, it suffers from a lack of promotion and insufficient staffing. These issues affect its ability to operate to its full potential and serve the needs of our community. Closing this centre would not only limit choice for expectant mothers across the Trust, but also place additional strain on alternative maternity services within the region, potentially compromising the quality of care, particularly postnatally. 

“Better Births” a 2016 report from the National Health Service, reveals that having more birthing options leads to better health outcomes for both mothers and babies. The centralisation of maternity services often overlooks the unique benefits provided by community-focused and midwife-led centres like St Mary’s.

Our goal is to urge the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust to not only re-open St Mary’s Birth Centre but to revisit the decision to remove our only freestanding midwife-led unit in Leicestershire, and secure its future with adequate staffing and through promoting its services. We need to ensure that it receives the recognition and resources deserved to remain a viable option for expectant mothers now and for future generations.

Stand with us in the fight to safeguard women’s choices and local services. Sign this petition now to protect and promote the exceptional care provided by St Mary’s Birth Centre, ensuring it remains the gem that it is.