Lib Dem Health Spokesman Visits the Trowbridge Maternity Unit

12.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 30th Oct 2003

Cllr Duncan Hames and Dr Evan Harris MP join some supporters of the local hospital including Cllr Jeff Osborn.

As fears grow for local Maternity Units under review by the region's Primary Care Trusts, Cllr Duncan Hames has called in national health spokesman Dr Evan Harris MP to see for himself.

The MP, who has been the party's lead Health Spokesman since the last election, visited the maternity unit at Trowbridge Hospital with local Lib Dem spokesman Duncan Hames. They were briefed on the work of the team at the maternity unit, and were given a tour of the facilities, during which they spoke to some of the team of midwives.

After the tour, Dr Harris met with some supporters, keen to impress upon him the need to support maternity units like the one at Trowbridge.

Commenting after the visit Cllr Duncan Hames, who earlier in the day had met with the Chair of the West Wilts Primary Care Trust, said: "It is not unreasonable for a review to have taken place to ensure that the best possible maternity services are delivered locally. I was assured today that the intention of this review will be to 'build on the best' of local practice. Today, I have seen excellent facilities, in a clean and orderly unit, that offers dedicated mid-wife led maternity services in a convenient and calming location."

Duncan Hames discussing the review of maternity services with Jeff Osborn and midwives from the Trowbridge Maternity Unit.

"I am in no doubt, that 'building on the best' must mean retaining the range of maternity services available at Trowbridge Hospital. Our local maternity unit has my full support, and the local Liberal Democrats will defend this valued team of health professionals with vigour in the forthcoming consultation." He declared.