'No plans' to reopen birth unit

Hopes of the Wyre Forest Birth Centre being reopened have been dashed despite ongoing calls and campaigns from protesters fighting for its return.

The centre at Kidderminster Hospital closed in September 2003 following the unexpected deaths of six babies during a three-year period.

It led to an independent inquiry and the centre was temporarily closed. But changes in maternity services mean it is now unlikely to reopen.

Health officials are considering opening a midwife-led unit in the north of the county, although no location has yet been chosen.

It had raised hopes that the service would be restored at Kidderminster.

But members of the Worcestershire Primary Care Trust today said there were "no plans to reopen the Wyre Forest BIrth Centre".

A decision on the new site will not be made until at least 2010.

Members of Worcestershire County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee have been told the closure of the birth centre can no longer be regarded as "temporary".

Paul Bates, chief executive of the Trust, said: "A key element of changes in maternity care is our plan to open a midwife led maternity unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. This will be run alongside the existing consultant-led unit."