MORE than three and a half years after Cossham Birth Centre in Kingswood announced a temporary closure, there is no date for its reopening.
A decision on its future looks set to be further delayed while health chiefs work out how to bring together hospital services across Bristol.
North Bristol NHS Trust continues to run antenatal and postnatal services at the unit and says it offers “continuity throughout every stage of the maternity journey” – but no babies have been born at Cossham Hospital since October 2022.
The birth centre proved popular with prospective parents from east Bristol after it was opened by NBT in 2013, but it had to shut for spells in 2018 and 2021 because of a shortage of midwives.
Staffing challenges at NBT’s maternity unit at Southmead Hospital were also given as the reason for the latest closure.
NBT’s website states: “May 2024: While we have made progress in recruitment, maternity workforce challenges remain across the NHS and regretfully we are not yet in a position to reopen the Cossham Birth Centre for births. Work remains ongoing and we will update further as soon as possible.”
MPs Kerry McCarthy and Damien Egan called two years ago for the birth centre to reopen, saying: “It is not right that, following a multi-million refurbishment, the centre has been forced to close its doors for more than a quarter of the time since.
“Expectant parents are being forced to travel many miles further to the nearest birth centre and would like certainty when Cossham Birth Centre might reopen.”
Since then, however, NBT and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust have begun working towards a merger as Bristol NHS Group, which is expected to be finalised this summer.
Services that are provided by both trusts such as maternity – offered at St Michael’s Hospital by UHBW and at Southmead and Cossham by NBT – are being integrated in what the trusts call Group Clinical Services development.
Professor Steve Hams, chief nursing and improvement officer for Bristol NHS Group, told the Voice: “Cossham Birth Centre remains an integral part of our long-term vision for women’s health – including as part of our Group Clinical Services development – ensuring the very best care and experience possible for those using our service.
“We provide a range of services at Cossham, including community appointments, breastfeeding support, and both antenatal and postnatal care, ensuring compassionate guidance and continuity throughout every stage of the maternity journey.
“Women continue to have access to a range of birth options, including midwife-led care alongside obstetric support at Southmead Hospital, as well as a dedicated home birth service. These choices are all underpinned by our unwavering commitment to personalised, high-quality, safe care for women using our services.”