About MOMS Campaign
MOMS Campaign was launched last autumn by a group of parents and local residents to celebrate and protect maternity services under threat for people living in the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire area. The campaign is run by a concerned community, many of them mothers of young children, who feel that current plans by the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust will result in a cut in services for North Derbyshire.
What is at risk?
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust published its review of community midwifery services in mid-January 2007, with a public consultation period running until 20 April 2007. Its plans include the closure of the internationally acclaimed and award-winning Darley Maternity Unit.
The plans, whose main aim is to save money, also include the end of community midwifery services based at local surgeries with the creation of four new maternity bases that will provide ante-natal care only. Women will be required to travel to these bases rather than having a midwife visit them at home, regardless of their personal circumstances.
The controversial plans have triggered an outpouring of concern from hundreds of people from across the community and beyond who have serious concerns over safety, the massive and unfair impact on parents and parents-to-be, and the loss of choice.