We now know why Macclesfield maternity services is struggling to reopen their doors.

March will mark two years since Macclesfield maternity services were last available.

Pregnant mums from Macclesfield and further afar like Congleton and the super-rural High Peak have suffered from a lack of maternity services for the whole of the pandemic.

Last week, Macclesfield MP David Rutley called on East Cheshire NHS Trust Board to 'honour its commitment' on restarting the services.

And now, their No. 1 board member has provided an update on a possible reopening this year.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Ged Murphy, who has worked at the Victoria Road hospital since August 2021, responded to Macclesfield Nub News' request for comment.

"It was with regret in November last year that the Trust Board confirmed it would be unable to return intrapartum and neonatal care to Macclesfield Hospital in December 2021," Ged said.

"There is no change in our commitment to the return of the service when safe to do so.

"The decision was made due to one of the five criteria for a safe return of the service, anaesthetic staffing resilience, having not been met.

"The trust is now awaiting the outcome of an invited review by the Royal College of Anaesthetists, at which time a date for the return can be assessed.

"Intrapartum and neonatal care continues to be delivered safely with the support of our partners at Leighton, Stepping Hill and Wythenshawe hospitals; these hospitals are located geographically close to the East Cheshire area we serve, for our patients and staff.

"Antenatal and postnatal care continues to be provided at Macclesfield Hospital and homebirths and other services from our community settings.

"We apologise to all those who have been and will be affected by this news and we will provide further updates through our website."

This is the first time that a lack of anaesthetists have been cited as the reasoning to prevent reopening since late 2020.

On the other hand, It is good news to hear that four of the five reopening criteria have been met.

Public data shows suggests of all the maternity services to shut following the first lockdown, Macclesfield's is the only one in England not to have since reopened.

While it may sound trivial that a baby can't be born in the town it will live in, one must consider the extra distance expecting mothers (and partners) may have to travel under the stressful circumstances of giving birth.

Stepping Hill, Wythenshawe, and Leighton are hospitals 13, 16, and 24 miles away from Macclesfield respectively.

One Macclesfield Nub News reader said on Facebook "I think it's dreadful that mum's can't have their babies in a hospital in the town where they live."

Another added: "Absolute joke forcing us all to go up to an hour away from home for every meeting and anti-natal clinic, let alone being away from home with baby and having to travel 45 mins in a car home after a C-section.

"It is putting babies and mums at risk, as well as possibly increasing chances of depression. Please get it back open."

Macclesfield: There is currently one anaesthetic-related vacancy at Macc Hospital.

You can apply to the Consultant in Anaesthetics role by clicking here.

There are also hundreds of Macclesfield Jobs listed on the Macclesfield Nub News Jobs section.

See Also: Macclesfield's MP nudges Macc Hospital over closed maternity unit

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