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Stafford's County Hospital: NHS rule out return of maternity services on safety grounds

NHS bosses have ruled a full blown maternity service should not be brought back to Stafford's County Hospital due to safety fears.

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A consultant-led service was moved from Weston Road up to Royal Stoke in January 2015 prompting outrage from campaigners.

A maternity-led service for low risk births has remained and last year NHS England launched a consultation about bringing a full service back.

Now they have ruled it would not be possible to do it safely due to 'financial and clinical' constraints.

A report said: "These recommendations are made within the context of a national shortage of specialist maternity staff and trainees, who are especially difficult to attract to work in smaller units.

"The panel recommends that a consultant led obstetric unit could not be reinstated and staffed in a safe way at County Hospital with respect to clinical and financial constraints at the present time."

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