Assembly Member blasts “unacceptable” Royal Free maternity service cuts
Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Anne Clarke has spoken out strongly against proposals to cut maternity services at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead.
North Central London Integrated Care Board is responsible for the provision of healthcare services across North London. They are currently undertaking a consultation to review maternity and neonatal services in the area, and as part of their proposed reforms, they are considering closing the maternity and neonatal unit at the Royal Free Hospital.
Ms Clarke said:
‘My own children were born at the Royal Free Hospital, which is at the heart of our diverse community. These latest proposals are due to the appalling underfunding of the NHS by the Government, who should be investing in our NHS, not cutting it.
‘Alternative options are far away, which will have a detrimental impact on mothers travelling to give birth or receive antenatal care. This will lead to fewer options and worse health outcomes for local families. These proposals are wholly unacceptable and must be stopped. I urge everyone to write in to the Start Well consultation to have their voices heard.’
Notes to editors
- Anne Clarke is the Labour and Cooperative London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden
- The North Central London Integrated Care System Start Well Consultation can be accessed here: Start Well: Public consultation on proposed changes to maternity, neonatal, and children’s surgical services - North Central London Integrated Care System (nclhealthandcare.org.uk)