Concerns talks on Cheltenham maternity unit won’t begin until spring
Cheltenham's MP says it's disappointing to hear about delays
Concerns over delays to the reopening of Cheltenham’s maternity unit have been raised in Parliament by spa town MP Max Wilkinson.
The Liberal Democrat is concerned that talks on reopening the Aveta Birth Centre would not begin until next spring – almost four years after the unit was closed ‘temporarily’ for labour and births.
Hospital chiefs say maintaining safety for women, families and maternity staff is essential and will be a critical factor in any decision.
A local maternity health needs assessment is underway to help health bosses better understand how they can meet the needs of mums, babies and families in Gloucestershire.
Mr Wilkinson has repeatedly pressed locally and nationally on the subject of maternity services and supporting local NHS services has been a priority for since day one as an MP.
“It is disappointing to learn about yet another delay to decisions about the future of maternity services in Cheltenham,” he said.
“While the government offers warm words about ensuring health services are delivered close to communities, it seems there is less clarity locally.
“Health bosses and ministers should let us know what is happening as soon as possible – by the time a decision is taken, it will be almost four years since the facility was ‘temporarily’ closed.
“The temporary downgrade of the Aveta Birth Centre has been going on since long before I was elected – that’s a legacy of Conservative failure and it must not become permanent under Labour.
“Ministers will need to intervene if necessary because families deserve a safe, fully working service to be restored here in Cheltenham.”
One of the Mr Wilkinson’s earliest actions was gaining cross-party support among the county’s MPs to restore full maternity services at Cheltenham General and reopen maternity beds in Stroud.
As part of his efforts to keep up the pressure, he has held meetings with local health bosses and raised the issue with Ministers.
A Gloucestershire NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “Our Aveta Birth Centre in Cheltenham has remained temporarily closed for births since Autumn 2022.
“It is essential that we continue to maintain safety for women, families and our staff across all maternity services and this is a critical factor in any decision-making.
“Over the last three years, there has also been a significant shift in maternity choices families are making, with an increase in induction and caesarean rates that change the way in which care needs to be provided.
“A local maternity health needs assessment is underway, involving local communities and exploring data, to help us better understand how we can meet the needs of mums, babies and families.
“In addition, the Government’s independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, which includes Gloucestershire, is underway and will set out actions to improve care across every NHS maternity service and is expected to report in Spring 2026.”