A HEALTH action group is urging people to attend a public meeting over 'life threatening' changes at a hospital that could see its maternity unit closed.

Proposals for significant changes to the NHS in Oxfordshire include the possible closure of the Cotswold Birth Centre – a mid-wife led maternity unit (MLU) based in Chipping Norton Community Hospital.

Health bosses will hold a public meeting in the town on Thursday to discuss the proposals. Chipping Norton Hospital Action Group is asking as many residents as possible to attend to show the strength of feeling against the proposed changes.

Chairman of the group Clive Hill said: “We wish people to raise the strongest possible protest with Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group over the possible closure of maternity and other services at Chipping Norton Hospital.

“We are life threatening distances from other hospitals and there is no other facility in our area that can meet our needs. We have no fast road connections.

“The CCG has said it wishes to provide care closer to home. This appears to be a complete smokescreen if they are considering centralising services further away from our homes.

“This centralisation must be stopped. Chipping Norton must keep its hospital-based healthcare services.”

Last month, phase one of plans to transform services to put them in line with population levels and financial pressures were put out to consultation by the CCG, as part of the sustainability and transformation plan.

The plan includes a proposal to permanently close the Cotswold Birth Centre at Chipping Norton Community Hospital on Russell Way - an MLU for women unlikely to face complications during labour.

Closure would mean all expectant mothers would need to travel to the maternity unit at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury - which is facing a downgrade to an MLU - or the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington to give birth.

If it took place, facilities for antenatal and postnatal services would still be provided in Chipping Norton.

District councillor for the town Geoff Saul joined other campaigners in the High Street on Saturday, January 21, as part of the Labour Party's national Care for the NHS Day - with a focus on proposals for hospitals in Banbury and Chipping Norton.

He said: "It's about the advantage of having a local centre and not having to travel the best part of 20 miles to the Horton.

"Chipping Norton has had a long tradition of people having their babies in the town and having to travel outside would be very disappointing. It will hollow out the facilities left at the hospital, leaving just day and outpatients.

"The town is extremely upset about this because we're not that close to any other centre. There will be concerns about women going into labour."

The CCG is not currently consulting on its proposals for MLUs and maternity services. These will form part of phase 2 of the consultation, which will take place later this year. 

The meeting to discuss the proposals with Oxfordshire CCG will be held in Chipping Norton Town Hall between 2 and 4pm. To book a place call 01865 334638 or email cscsu.talkinghealth@nhs.net