Macclesfield's MP David Rutley has joined the fight to get maternity services open in Macclesfield as soon as possible.

As we reported last Friday, the in-person intrapartum or Neo-natal (during or after pregnancy) care would not return to Macclesfield this year, despite the removal of coronavirus restrictions.

This means expecting mums would have to travel to Leighton, Stepping Hill and Wythenshawe hospitals for the care they should get in our town.

These hospitals are 24, 13 and 16 miles away from our town respectively.

Now, Macclesfield's Conservative MP David Rutley has weighed in on the matter, in a chat with those at the Victoria Road hospital.

"The latest news on the further delay to the reopening of the maternity unit at Macclesfield Hospital, after its temporary closure in March 2020, is very disappointing," he said.

"I have spoken to John Wilbraham, the Chief Executive of East Cheshire NHS Trust which runs Macclesfield Hospital, to express my strong concerns and those of other residents about the latest announcement, which will mean that the service will not re-open as planned in December.

"He has explained that there is a genuine commitment to reopen the services from the Trust and other important NHS stakeholders, including NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, but that other factors including the rise in coronavirus cases and concerns about winter pressures have led to this latest decision.

"It is good to have this commitment to reopen reconfirmed, but I have urged Mr Wilbraham to actively work with the relevant stakeholders to develop a sustainable plan that will give local families the confidence that these much-valued services will return and provide a clear re-opening date that can be relied upon.

"These continue to be challenging times, but after 19 months of temporary closure, with more to follow, families in Macclesfield and in other neighbouring communities as far afield as Buxton, Knutsford and Leek need greater certainty about these vital local maternity services."

With no date in sight, it may very well be two years until in-person maternity care returns to our town.

East Cheshire NHS Trust have been contacted for comment.

But last week their CEO John Wilbraham said: "East Cheshire NHS Trust Board remains committed to returning intrapartum and neo natal care to Macclesfield when safe to do so. It is with regret that the trust is unable to do this in December 2021.

"This decision has been taken based on a worsening outlook for winter and an early indication that additional staffing would be required for the safe return of maternity services without impacting on other specialities.

"Our homebirth service will continue at Macclesfield Hospital and within our community settings.

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

See also: Macclesfield COVID cases hover close to 500 with no change in fourteen days.

Conservative MP David Rutley has represented our town since 2010.

We have contacted him for comment on the Lords Environmental Bill Amendment vote from earlier this month, and will also be providing more updates of his work in the constituency in due course.

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