Myself and partner visited a number of hospitals when deciding where our first child should be born. Hemel was by far the most professional, relaxing, civilised and well run unit.

Watford staff were lovely and they clearly are amoungst the most hard working in the area, but the facilities are old, tatty and appeared unhygenic.

I was further amazed by the fact you can be restricted to 2 hours in a birth pool!

Every other midwife I have mentioned this to, without exception, has been amazed by this! As hard working contributers to the national Health Service (as are all those that pay national insurance) it is right to expect the best care possible, and HBC was that Gold standard. Instead of closing it and having everyone use the 'normal' level of care at Watford and Stoke, why not make others conform to the excellent services at HBC!

A saving of less than half a million pounds will not go any way to solving the appauling financial practices which have led to the trust being in debt. I am sure the staff at watford will continue providing the best care possible in their overworked state, but what of those of use who have been let down by the PCT and are not prepared to accept the production line that is Watford? We have never officially been told of the closure of HBC and were left to find another location to have our baby, due any day.

Thankfully, Edgeware are less short sighted and have rescused us.............Hemel would still have been our first choice! Keep it open for sake of all unborn children and their mothers who deserve treatment that makes the experience a fantastic one for all involved.


Name: kirstie humphrey
Address: washington avenue, hemel hempstead
Views: In February 2004, I gave birth to my second child at Hemel Birthing Unit. It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere with friendly staff and excellent facilities. If I had to have gone to Watford, my labour was so quick, we can only imagine that he would have been born on the hard shoulder of the M1. Please do not close the unit. Hemel needs a maternity unit


Name: Tamara Shatar and Tom Bishop
Address: Harpenden c
Views: We are appalled to hear that HBC may be closing. Our first child was born there last November. We had a fantastic experience, which we attribute to the relaxed, stress-free environment, clean and spacious facilities and their great staff. We don't think that closing the birth centre will save money in the long term. We believe that the atmosphere and support at HBC helped us have a fast, drug-free, natural delivery and I was happily discharged hours after giving birth, rather than occupying a hospital bed for an extended period. We would have seriously considered a home birth rather than going to Watford - not least because of the distance I would have had to travel while in labour. We've only ever heard rave reviews from other women who've given birth there and from midwives and HBC has won at least one award in the relatively short time it has been open. Closing HBC would be a very short-sighted move.

Whilst the staff in Watford were nice enough they simply, because of the size of the area they serve, did not have chance to spend any real time with you, let alone explain anything. 

I also found watford dirty, cramped and uncomfortable, and as there were no beds available in the ward I spent my time on the delivery suite. By contrast the facilities in Hemel are excellent. Good sized en-suite rooms, birthing pool, relaxation room, and all extremely clean and well cared for. The staff took great pride in the care that they provided. they had time for us and explained everything clearly. 

Furthermore I saw my own midwife who i had come to know extremely well, and made me feel more at ease and allowed for continuty of care before, during and after the birth. It was not until i was 40 week pregnant that i found out purely by chance that the birthing unit was closed. 

I have still not recieved a letter or phone call. My midwife suggested that i try for a home birth, and it proved to be a fantstic decision. the midwiferey care i recived was outstanding and i had a very positive birth experience. It is hard for local people to understand why, when Hemel is a large and growing community that our health care should be cut back. 

The goverment is currently promoting choice in both healthcare and education and yet that choice is being erroded. the healthcare trust is promoting continuity of care - how can that possibly happen when women have to travel so far to give birth? 

There has been massive investment of our money into health care and yet the service we are recieving in Hemel is worsening not improving! With other hopsitals in the area also considering scaling down the provision of maternity care the pressure on hospitals like Watford is only going to increase, and therefore logic would suggest quality of care will only decrease. 

Yet again tonight Watford has been featured on the local news in a less than favourable light.

As a local Mum I feel that we need and have every right to expect the best in healthcare and moving maternity services, amongst other things, to watford general hospital does not provide us with a suitable level of care. I can only advise other mums to be that they consider a home birth - though presumably if too many women choose this option it will become too costly and not represent 'the most efficient use of funds'!



Name: Lisa Smith
Address: Newfield Lane
Hemel Hempstead Herts HP2 4DY
Views: I gave birth at Hemel Birth Centre on the 14th December 2005. This was my first child and everything about my birth experience will stay with me always. The staff were absolutely amazing making everything as special for my partner and i as possible. You couldn't ask for a cleaner, or a more comfortable room! I am so shocked that they would want to close down such a well run and succesful place. If this closes i will most definately opt for a home birth rather than go to Watford hospital. I am utterly disappointed that i may not get to have my future children at Hemel Birth Centre.

Name: Sue Rickard
Address:Valleyside
Hemel Hempstead



Name: Mrs Janacek
Address: bunkers Lane
Views: Both my children were born at St Pauls..and if we had had to drive to Watford in the rush hour they would have been delivered in the car..not very good as they both needed SCBU. i feel that as more houses are being built in the area it is even more essential that all the units at Hemel are kept.

Name: hazel johnson
Address: cemmaes meadow
hemel hempstead
Views: i worked at stpauls for many years even then we had babies born in the car park how MANY WILL BE BORN on THE WAY TO WATFORD? does anyone care?? Labour government should be ashamed of the way they allow the people of dacorum to be treated by the unelected NHS Trust


Name: mrs power
Address: boxmoor
hemel hempstead
Views: i have never used the HBC and am not likely to now, but all my friends and family have and indeed i have worked there at some stage when i worked at the hospital. This centre is vital to the people of hemel and the surrounding area. It makes mine and my husbands efforts along with 98 others who walked a total of 26 miles from here to Tring on the 19th january 1987, to raise £3,000 for the emu scanner appeal seem so worthless now. Still its only money isnt it. And that is the whole issue - money. The people in charge of this whole debacle are not only incompetent, but will probably never use the hospital anyway, so dont give a fig. I have just been looking through all the messages on this link, and unless i am mistaken (apologies if i am) there is not one message from Watford. WAKE UP WATFORD, THIS WILL AFFECT YOU AS WELL!!!!!!!


Name: Gary Proctor and Lisa Smith
Address: Newfield Lane
Hemel Hempstead
Views: Lisa and I had our first child at Hemel Birthing Centre, we named her Ellie and she was born on the 14th December 2005. The staff were fantastic and they made the birth an amazing experience. We looked around Watford hospital and found the place dirty and very busy. We are dreading the thought of having our second child at Watford hospital, so much so that we may consider a home birth. We pay more than enough in taxes so please keep the birthing centre OPEN!

Name: Elizabeth M
Address: St. Albans
Views: I gave birth to my daughter in April 2004 at the Hemel Birthing unit... I had such a great experience I wanted to follw and have my next baby which is due in May there. I have heard stories of mothers having to give birth on their bathroom floors after being turned away from Watford due to overcrowding.. and that was when Hemel was open and able to take some strain off... and also I have no way to get to Watford anyway... so I am facing giving birth at home if the birthing unit doesn't open.


Name: Linzi van Geene
Address: Highfield Road
Tring
Views: I think it is terrible that they are closing this fantastic unit. Without it local Mums are forced to go to either Stoke Mandeville or Watford Hospitals, both of which are overcrowded already.

Name: Samantha & Trevor Payne b_
Address: Sarratt Avenue
Woodhall
Farm Hemel Hempstead



Name: kelly roberts
Address: GROVE HILL
Views: i gave birth to my son in jan 2005 at hemel birth center. i was all up for having all the pain relif they had but all the midwives are so nice and make you feel so relaxed, i was abel to have a natural birth. it was like i was in a privet hospital, and that i had one to one care. it is such a shame that the center has closed as other familys dont have the chance to experance this. people from hemel with a low risk pregancy should be able to have there children in hemel and not have to worry about getting to watford

Name:Jane Bisseker
Address: St Albans.
Views: I had my second child at the Hemel Birth Centre in November 2004. It was a fantastic positive experience. I was hoping to give birth to my next child due in June at the Birth Centre too. Sadly, this is now looking unlikely. I had my daughter at Watford in 2003, the wards there were extremely busy, the toilets were dirty and the staff were overstretched. With alternatives like the Hemel Birth Centre being potentially taken away the conditions at Watford are surely going to deteriorate. The prospect of returning to the 'production line' at Watford is not one that I relish. Please reconsider and re-open the Hemel Birth Centre. 


Name:Katy Cawkwell
Address:Aldbury,
Tring
Views: I am due to give birth for the first time in July 2006 and am currently registered for hemel birth centre. I am extremely anxious that it may not re-open in time (or indeed, at all). As I have a currently low-risk pregnancy, it seemed by far the best option for me, as I feel very uncomfortable in a hospital atmosphere and this offered a more welcoming, home-like environment. I also very much liked the idea of the midwife that I'm seeing now being present at the birth. Watford will be much less convenient, more intimidating and, from what I've heard, risks being overcrowded. Please reconsider, and, from a selfish point of view, as quickly as you can.



Name: Elizabeth Cooper
Address: Leverstock Green Rd. H.H
Views: Two of my children were born in Hemel Hempstead. Being someone who had very quick labours, I certainly would not have made it to Watford in time. I feel that maternity services are a very basic necessity and that they need to be localised, particularly in a growing area like Hemel.

Views:  We were very fortunate to be able to have our first child in July 2005 at Hemel Birth Centre. We couldn't have wished for better care or a more natural, relaxing experience.

The centre was immaculate and deserves its accolades. Why would a health authority shut down such a 'jewel in their crown'? Why would they spend so much money on a centre, only to shut it down a few years later?

Do they not forsee the pressure this will put on the L&D and Watford General Hospitals which are already struggling?

Do they not realise that people like us will opt for home births next time (if HBC is shut) and this will cost them more money? It's one of two things; a chronic lack of foresight or a slap-dash, uncaring approach to OUR health services. PLEASE reconsider because the closure of this fantastic and MUCH treasured unit will have little effect on these reported debts.

A Home from Home atmosphere at Hemel made the birth so much more relaxed than the flat out busy Watford main ward would have been. By closing Hemel Hempstead the pressure on the facilities and staff at Watford is likely to increase. 

My wife worked for the Estates Department that created the birth centre in 2003 and both of us are angry at the lack of thinking, foresight and wastage of money that results in closing something two years after it opened.

Other mums who my wife knows, who gave birth at Watford have all said that the staff at Watford were too busy and did not receive the same level of wonderful attention that my wife did. An important consideration in all this is choice.

We ! were able to choose how we could bring our baby into the world, by removing this wonderful facility the choice is gone and the Health services in Herfordshire are poorer for it.

Name: Trina Sands
Address: St Michaels Avenue
Hemel Hempstead Herts


Name: Trina Sands
Address: 17 St Michaels Avenue
Hemel Hempstead
Herts



Name: Charlotte Bromage-Udwari b_
Address: Cologne,
Germany
Views: The closure of any hospital is absurd. Hemel Hempstead and especially the surrounding areas need a hospital. Watford is too far away. The closure would be a disaster.


Name: Kay Potton
Address:Ridge Lea Hemel Hempstead
Views: People that I know have given birth at the unit and they have highly recommended it. My last child was born at Watford Hospital and I wouldn't recommend it and I don't think the option of using the unit in Hemel should be taken away.



Name: yvonne roberts
Address: berkhamstead
Views: i have worked at the birth center since it opened and previous to that at hemel when it was a full maternity unit i feel very sorry for the people of hemel that there choices are being taken away one bye one i hope that this decision can be overturned and the trust can find some other way to save money

Exactly the sort of atmosphere i would have liked to bring my baby into the world. Watford was the complete opposite. It was not clean (sanitary bins over flowing in the toilet,no loo rolls among other things).

The whole set up was very impersonal - the staff were always in a hurry and everything was very disorganised. I must stress however that the staff there did try, however they were just too busy to give the one to one care ofered at hemel.

It seems wholey pointless to subject the staff at watford and parents to a stressful, impersonal and inefficient environment by adding to their work loads.

Hemel is a large town and all women and their families deserve a first rate local service. And local should be the operative phrase. The idea going into labour at 2.30 on a saturday afternoon in October makes the whole idea of easy access to watford ill considered. Our local health Trust has a primary obligation of health and service to the local community.

The closure proposal on the Hemel birthing unit demonstrates that the trusts first concern is to their funding - not to the parents and babies of Hemel


Name: Erica Phelps
Address:  St James Road
Harpenden
herts
Views: I gave birth to my son last January at Hemel Birth centre.  Both the staff and the facilities were excellent.  This centre should be supported, not closed.



Name: Lucy
A ddress: Hemel Hempstead
Views: I sit her in absolute amazement at how a town as large as Hemel is going to end up with nowhere for mums to give birth. What century are we in !
I am incredibly interested in the history of Hemel, and when you look back at what we had years ago I feel we are going backward rather than forward. 
How would the powers that be feel if this was happening to them in their town. Can you tell me how Watford Hospital is going to cope. I had my first in Watford, the staff were fantastic, but there wasn't enough to cope with the demand. 
I am now considering a home birth as I do not want to have to go there again as it is such a trek for everyone to get to to visit. We are expanding Hemel with so many houses/apartments etc trying to bring people into the town. Why would anyone want to move here when there is going to be no hospital - one of the main things that a town needs. 
So we have a large Debenhams - great - but I would rather have a hospital! What are you thinking of Ms Hewitt !!


Name:  Amy Campbell 
Address: Great Whites Road
Hemel Hempstead



Name: Maria Russell and Killer Question The Band
Address: Boxted Road
Hemel Hempstead
Views: Please leave our hospital alone. We desperately need our hospital and all its wards, departments, services and units. I have heard pregnant women around the town who are extremely worried about what is going to happen to them when its time for their babies to arrive. This shouldn't not be the case, at a worrying time for mums anyway. This is 2006 we are going backwards what is wrong with this country and our govenment. DO SOMETHING AND DO IT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

Name: B H Dixon, C.Eng.,M.I.Mech.E.
To: Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Sec. State for Health.
We have read your December 2005 speech, at the London School of Economics with interest & note your all important emphasis for more choice & a stronger voice for patients, but how can we, the 80,000 inhabitants of Hemel Hempstead have any choice at all in our new hospital if the latest proposed closure of one of the corner stones of any hospital is closed, namely our Maternity Birth Centre, with mothers being directed to an already oversubscribed & unable to cope Watford General Hospital, 14 miles away. We in Hemel Hempstead would like to know that the words in your speech were not just hollow rhetoric & would ask that you intervene & STOP this latest of the many closures at our new Hemel Hempstead Hospital.


Name: James and Louise Clarke
Address:Berkhamsted

Name: Karpanna
Address: Selden Hill,
Hemel Hempstead,
Views: When is the Hemel Hospital closure planned? It looks systematic first full maternity service closure now low risk birth centre closure, next not sure what will be closed. My wife had to go Watford as she was diagnosed with Gestational diabetes, she did not have a good experience there due to some over stretched staff there.


Name: Richard and Dilys Waymark
Address: Sidford Close
Hemel Hempstead Herts
Views: It's many years since our children were born (at the old St Pauls Hospital) but we really appreciated having these facilities within a few miles from home. We think it only reasonable that in a town our size today's mums should enjoy the same amenity and that they, and supporting family and friends, should not have to make the much longer journey to Watford.

Name: MRS FIONA DEAN
Address: GADEBRIDGE ROAD
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD HERTS

Name:Lyn Denniss
Address: Hemel Hempstead
Views: I gave birth to my son in November 2004 at Watford. I had planned to use the Alexandra Birthing centre at Watford rather than Hemel, because it is closer to the delivery suite at Watford should there be any complications (the Alexandra Birthing centre in Watford is in the same building as the delivery suite). 

I may be a lone voice but my experience at Watford was a very good one. I was treated very well, and had the amount of care I expected. I never made it to the birthing centre at Watford due to early complications, and went straight to the delivery suite and then onto a ward. 

I had bath demonstrations and breast feeding demonstrations after the birth, and overall have no negative feedback. 

HOWEVER , I still firmly believe that we should not lose the Birthing Centre facility in Hemel. This is just another cut to our hospital facilities and Hemel hospital covers a big enough area to warrant it's own hospital and to give future parents an option closer to home. 

It only takes for Watford FC to be playing at home, or for it to be rush hour, to make getting to Watford hospital difficult for anyone living outside Watford - and then there can be issues with parking. 

Also, losing the Hemel Birthing centre will surely lead to an 'over crowding' of maternity services at Watford, and maybe my second experience at Watford hospital (next baby due in June 2006) will not be as good as the first.

Name: Anita Keen
Address: Nightingale Walk
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I know that I have already written my complaint to you but I was just reading the news about the widening of the M1. How can they possibly close the HBU when the widening of the M1 is costing £241m and there will be a 40mph speed restriction for the next two years! Will this not make the journey to Watford an impossible one for mothers in labour??? This is so wrong.


Name: Linda Boswell
Address: Friars Way
Kings Langley
Views: I have a one year old daughter - whom, unfortunately, was born at Watford General - not for the want of trying to go to Hemel Hempstead Birthing Unit, as it is fantastic, clean, with nice staff and very quiet. I, much to my distress, had to give birth to my daughter at Watford General, as I had complications. 

I had to be induced on the Labour Ward and not on the Normal Ward. Well the Labour Ward was SO BUSY at Watford that I had to wait three days on the Normal Ward in order to get a snipets of time on the Labour Ward to be given the drug to get into labour. I can honestly say they were three days of hell. This is before they closed Hemel Hempstead - so what is going to happen when the whole of Hemel, Berkhamsted, etc, have to go to Watford as well???

My whole birthing experience was a nightmare, mainly due to the fact that Watford is already too busy to cope with demand.

Name: Lucy Jackson
Address: Belswains Lane
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I gave birth to my first daughter at Hemel Birthing Centre in 2004. The staff and surroundings made my experience a positive one. I would hate to have to go to Watford to have my next child as I have heard so many awful things about it. In fact, if forced to I would rather have my baby at home.

However, if Hemel was to re-open then ther would be no question of where I would have my future children delivered. I can't understand why so many houses are being built in Hemel and yet soon there is going to be no local hospital for all these residents to go to. If it's money we're trying to save, why don't we keep the birthing centre open and make use of all the millions of pounds it must have cost to build it in the first place!

Name: Maxine Hart
Address: Nidderdale

Name: Glennis Taylor
Address: Branksome Close
Hemel Hempstead
Views: It is disgusting to close the birth unit. First it is closed through illness. We all knew that was an excuse and that it would not reopen. Hemel Hempstead and surrounding area NEED a maternity unit in their hospital. Please rethink.

Name: Elaine Scott
Address: Barnfield Road
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I resigned from my post at a North London Hospital because I had heard of the excellent record of the Hemel Birth Centre and wanted to be a part of providing the kind of Midwifery Care that all women deserve. Not only did I change my job but I moved my family from London to Hemel to be close to my chosen place of work. Winning the FIRST PRIZE NCT UK BEST BIRTHING ENVIRONMENT AWARD in 2005 was a reflection of the dedication that we as a Midwifery Team aim to provide to all users of the service. 

I am devastated that a service that has proved popular, and works, can be discarded regardless of the needs and wishes of Dacorum residents. 

Why are we as a county removing an excellent award winning Birthing Centre so that everyone can have a equal lesser service instead of aiming to provide a first class service to all? 

With the planned population increase for Dacorum why are we loosing all of our hospital services? Who will want to move to a town with no medical servi! ces? New homes will stand unsold and the town will suffer if we don't recognise that we need local services for local people.

Name: Catriona Henderson
Address: Little Tring
Tring Herts
Views: In June I switched my booking for the birth of my first child from Stoke Mandeville after a visit to the birth centre.

I could not believe the difference in atmosphere, and the attitude of the staff. Having been dreading going to hospital I actually looked forward to it. 

I also knew I wanted a water birth and I was very likely to be able to use the lovely pool at Hemel(the pool at Stoke was out of action for weeks). Although I was eventually transferred to Watford mid-labour, the care I received during the first few hours and the home-from-home environment made a huge difference to my mental state during a long slow labour.

I felt lucky to be able to make a choice to switch to somewhere like the birth centre and I want other women to have the same choice available to them.


Name: Richard Davis
Address: Boxmoor
Views: My wife is expecting our first child in May ‘06. It has been a great shock to learn of the closure of the birthing centre and is causing my wife stress at this critical time. I feel that we have been denied the right of choice as to where our baby is to be born, Watford now seemingly our only option. I'm appalled to add that we only became aware of the closure from the front page of the local paper. There has been no official statement made with even our GP and midwife unable to advise on the situation. This is just one of many public facilities to have closed over the last few years, in which time the town has rapidly expanded. Both my wife and I were born and raised in Hemel and have lived here all our lives. However, I regret to say that for us it is the final straw and we are looking to move out of Hemel as soon as possible, even if it means leaving our friends and families behind. (Besides, there'll soon be no houses left in Hemel, just 2 bed apartments!)

Name: linda sTURTEVANT
Address: , WINDMILL ROAD
Hemel Hempstead

Name: mrs gill mckinnon
Address: jarman close
hemel hempstead

Name: Nancy Hall
Address: Boxmoor
Hemel Hempstead

Name: Susan Wyart
Address: Chambersbury Lane
Hemel Hempstead
Views: It is an outrage that the center has closed. I gave birth to my second son there and it was a fantastic experience. The staff were phenomenal.

It gave you a home away from home atmosphere and made the labour and birth a pleasure. Watford is overcrowded enough without Hemel closing down. I gave birth to my first son there and staff were too stressed and busy to care for each person and case as an individual.

I has a very stressful birth as they kept trying to send me home when I was a few hours away from giving birth. Every mother should be entitled to the choice of having a child at Hemel. It should be reopened.

Name: N J Mills
Address: Hemel Hempstead
Views: Another service to leave Hemel Hempstead Hospital - disgusting!!!! When is full Maternity coming back to Hemel not when is the Birth Centre closing, we want to hear!!! This unit must not be closed.



Name: Eileen Winter
Address: Frome Square Grovehill
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I am absolutely disgusted at the notice of closure of this department and any other part of the hospital.

As to the birth unit, I am absolutely terrified to think of how many deaths and disabilities will result from this. Imagine going into labour on a Saturday afternoon when the sales are on and Watford are playing at home.

Watford has difficulty coping with the Watford area let alone taking on our area as well. I gave birth at the old hospital maternity unit and as I started labout at 9am and gave birth at 11.45am I am glad I didn't have to travel to Watford.

Name: Susan Holmes
Address: Castle St Berkhamsted
Views: I had both of my children at the old St Paul's hospital - my daughter, who lives in Hemel is due to give birth this summer. With all the technical advances, it seems a shame that low-risk births shouldn't carry on at Hemel.


Name: Sam & Glenn Dickman
Address: Ellingham Road

Name: Wendy Lanham
Address: Highfield
Views: It MUST NOT close, lives will be lost. Travelling to Watford in general is a nightmere. Why move when we have a prefectly good unit in Hemel.

Name: Heidi Murphy b_
Address: St Albans Hill
Hemel Hempstead Herts
Views: I gave birth to both my children at Hemel Hempstead Hospital. The thought of worrying about getting through traffic to get to Watford General whilst in labour would have caused me alot of stress during pregnancy.

Hemel is a big town, where new housing is constantly being built for families. How can the council/government justify this increased housing when they are not willing back it up with the provision of good general local facilities.



Name: helen marsh
Address: claymore,
hemel hempstead,
Views: i gave birth to my 2nd daughter at the birthing centre and had such a wonderfull experience there, my sister is due to give birth to her first child this summer and was so looking forward to visiting the birthing centre, now she is dreading the thought of having to go to watford.

Through no fault of the staff at watford i have had some terrible experiences at that hospital, where as hemel hospital i cannot fault, please don't let them get rid of it.

Name: B.H.Dixon C.Eng. M.I.Mech. E.
Views: Closure of the Hemel Hospital Birthing Unit should NOT have ever been contemplated for this ever expanding town. Patricia Hewitt & the PM must be made aware of the groundswell of opposition to this short sighted & down right callous proposal.

Name: Emilee Gibbs
Address: London Road,
Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead
Views: My daughter Yasmyn was born in September 2004, and if it were not for the fantastic opportunity afforded to me of having her at hemel birth centre, I would have opted for a home birth. 

Having been born myself at Watford General, I found it extremely confusing why I was so against my child being born there - that is until I remembered my reasons. 

It is impossible to access, parking is attrocious, the building is dirty, smelly and uninviting, and from speaking to other people I have NEVER heard of a positive birthing experience at Watford. On the contrary my experience at Hemel Birthing Centre was absolutely fantastic- the centre was so relaxing and homely that it made this terrifying experience run smoothly and as comfortably as giving birth can be!!! WE NEED IT TO ENCOURAGE NATURAL RELAXED BIRTH EXPERIENCES!!!

Name: Mrs Rose
Address: St. Nicholas Mount
Hemel Hempstead


Name: Katherine Deaney
Address: Anchor Lane
Views: This decision is a step back not forward. HBC was excellent, I speak from experience! It is everything that a birth centre should be. It makes me very angry that yet again people of Dacorum are second fiddle to Watford and
that women have less choice than before. Don't forget that home birth is also an option if you don't want to go to Watford. We all deserve better and I hope you have all been writing to Patricia Hewitt. We have to stand up and fight this closure on top of A&E, york ward, children's ward, the list goes on and on.
The government promise one thing and deliver the opposite....



Name: Justin McDowell
Address:  Valley Rd, Berkhamsted,
Views: My wife and I moved to Berkhamsted 2 years ago with the intention ofstarting a Family.  We chose this location due to its close amentities and surroundings.  With 15 weeks left to go for our first born we both are gutted to
hear that the Hemel Birth Center is on the Brink of Closing.  I cannot believe that a unit that was opened to relieve pressure from Watfaord is closed in such a short time period.  I only hope that the concerned come to ther sceneces
before it takes a fatality to turn them.




Name: Vanessa and David Manikin
Address: Washington Avenue, Grove Hill,
Hemel Hempstead,
Views: Dear Sirs, It is totally incomprehensible that anyone with the modicom of intelligence could contemplate and plan to reduce medical services in the Dacorum area. With a population still growing, with planning permission for hundreds more houses, the near catrastophy of the Buncefield explosion, albeit little or no injury to persons this time and with the planned increase of road and air traffic on the motorways and surrounding areas.

Do the 'powers that be'not know that the Watford Hospital is situated next door to a football ground - not only with no room for expansion, but emergencies are unable to get through to the hospital on match days. My sincere hope is that my 2 year old grandson, who lives in Dacorum, doesn't ever need medical attention at a hospital on a football match day.

It is my honest opinion that the value of the land, once sold by West Herts Health Authority, is of greater importance than the people living in Dacorum

Name: Emma Bryan
Address:  Longfield Road
Tring
Views: To close and keep this unit closed is absurd.

Watford is actually quite a distance for many of the Mother's-to-be who wouldordinarily use Hemel's clinic. I am sure there will be a good many babies who will not be able to wait to get to Watford and wll have to be delivered in
un-sterile conditions with no help or assistance. Whilst, before labour, one canpencil a baby as low risk we are all too aware of how suddenly this can change and how medical attention can become priority.

The extra distance many women will have to travel to get to Watford can only be
a negative, stressful and in some cases too timely a trip. It saddens me that
this is a consideration, let alone a possible reality. Let's hope that all future babies know to hold on in there until they arrive (eventually) at
Watford...and let's hope that Watford will have the capacity and room in their hospital to deal with them!!!!

Name: debbie wheals
Address: church street
Views: im currently 18 weeks pregnant and the thought of having to go to watford hospital to deliver really upsets me as i had both my daughters at hemel. i think it is disgusting that they could even consider closing the birthing unit at hemel because of funding reasons. surely they can find the money from somewhere? they closed the paddling pool i gadebridge park for this reason too it looks like they are trying to run hemel right down. well i for one will be electing for a home birth bvecause of this

Name: Linda Wigg
Email supplied
I was fortunate to give birth to both my children at Hemel Hempstead Maternity Unit (93/97). The care and facilities were excellent. I am dismayed to read that Mothers (and their partners) will not be able to experience this service due to cut backs. I have stood back for to long, as I am sure other have. We, the people of Hemel Hempstead and surrounding areas MUST protest at the cutbacks. If we do not, it may not be long before we find our town without a HOSPITAL!! If this happens we will only have ourselves to blame.

Watford can not cope with what they have got, they cover such a vast area already. The thought of having a super hospital built in Hatfield is laughable (however, we won't be laughing if we alow this to happen).

I would be interested in getting involved with others to ensure that we do not let Government, Trusts or others fragment our services.

Name: Alison McDowell
Address: 46 Valley Road
Berkhamsted
Views: I am booked into Hemel Birthing center for my first baby due 22 May 2006. I am speechless that this recently opened award winning unit has been closed and patients are being redirected to the already overstretched understaffed due for refurbishement Watford hospital. Where is the sense, the NHS must have spent alot of money opening it and now all that is being thrown down the drain, if this is the general trend no wonder there's a cash crisis!

Well from someone who has always been nervous to say the least at the thought of giving birth, but significantly conforted by being lucky enough to have the Hemel facility on her doorstep, I am now once again deeply concerned about my options and the half hour drive (or more in the morning / evening / weekend rush) to get to an overcrowded hospital.

Good to see the NHS moving forward!

Name: Elspeth Mathie
Address: Kinglsland Road
Hemel Hempstead
Views: My daughter was born at the birth unit 22 months ago, it was a wonderful waterbirth supported by skilled midwives. It is how all births should be. The community teams who support the birth unit were wonderful with my community midwife attending the last half hour of labour. Afterwards, I was very well cared for and offered the option of staying overnight which was peaceful and very restful. The Hemel birth unit is how all maternity services should operate, 'normal' births supported by midwives who have time for you. It would be terrible if Hemel looses this service. With good promotion the unit can encourage more births (it has already exceeded the number it was supposed to do.) PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS SERVICE GO, Watford hospital is already overstretched.

Name: Janis Slowey
Address: Drayton Gardesn
London N21
Views: Birthing units are a great idea. Giving birth with care by midwives is a much better experience for the mother. Watford is so crowded and busy that the thought of getting to the hospital causes great distress to many mothers-to-be. No-one seems to think this through proerly. It always seems to come down to money not care. This is the UK, care ought to be good here!

Name: Jayne Chambers
A ddress: Shrublands Avenue
Berkhamsted
Views: I planned to have my son at Hemel and was disappointed that I had to go to Watford in the end as he was overdue. The atmosphere in Hemel is so much more relaxed and welcoming at what is a very emotional and frightening time. Please keep it going!

Name: Mrs N Picton
Address: St Pauls Road
Hemel Hempstead
Views: My niece, last year, gave birth in Hemel Hempstead unit, had she had to travel to Watford the babu=y most certainly would have been delivered in the car!!!!!!

Name: SUZANNE FRANKLIN
Email supplied

Name: cheryl tombs
Address: Lismore Northend
Hemel Hempstaed
Views: I gave birth to my first child Jake at Hemel birth centre on September 10th 2004 this was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I achieved my wish of a natural birth in the beautiful surroundings of the centre and received excellent care from the wonderful staff.

Name: Emily Davies
Address: nash mills
hemel hempstead
Views: I'm an expectant mum for the first time, due in march. Altough i know there is now no way i can now give birth in my home town as even if anyone does pay attention to public opinion it will be closed in march regardless. I'm outraged by this decision.

Firstly the uncertainty now for expectant mothers is an unfair and unnecessary worry at what is already a very emotional time. For some Hemel residents travel to watford is just not viable. What if we don't have transport, are we supposed to pay for a taxi, or jump onto a bus once our waters have broken?

There is the worry of not making it there in time, due to traffic, especially if we were unlucky enough to go into labour on a saturday when watford are playing at home!!! I'm suprised this is even an issue, taking into account the public outrage when hemel maternity ward closed in the first place, then the fact that watford couldn't cope then with the extra amount of babies being born, so then hemel birth centre was opened to take some of the strain away!

If it does close, will the same thing happen again? Also surely it has been proven that the atmosphere of the home from home enviroment that hemel birth centre provides means less complications for the labour and less intervention needed from doctors, so this is beneficial to patients and the nhs.

Have the nhs thought how they would cope if all expectant mothers in hemel decided not to go to watford and all opted for home births? Surely the extra amount of staff they would need recruit and train would eat a large chunk out of the money they might save!! With more and more houses and flats being built in hemel every day and residency levels on the increase surely this decision would have to be reversed eventually anyway, so stop wasting time now, find other ways of making cutbacks and SAVE OUR BIRTHING UNIT!!!!!


Name: Zoe Calvert
Address: Longfield Road,
Tring
Views: I'm expecting my first baby which is due in September this year. I was devastated to learn that the Birth Centre and Hospital is under threat of closure. This needn't be about money this should be about providing the services that West Herts needs. Delivering in a birth centre is one of the optimum choices for healthy and less stressful births for mums to be and newborns, notwithstanding of course the pressure that the closure will exert on existing services elsewhere. I am very upset to hear that this choice is going to be removed from me and I hope that the hospital and Centre continues to be an option for West Herts residents!


Name: Fiona Boughton
Address: 11 Larch Avenue
Bricket Wood
St Albans
Views: My third baby is due 16-02-06. My last two were born in 00 & 02 in the old mat dept at Hemel which even without the birthing unit then was still a wonderful experience with the reassurance of knowing the hospital was only round the corner.

Name: Nathan Alton Eight
Address: Dellcut Road
Adeyfield
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I believe that the plan to close Hemel's birth centre is outrageous and extremely short-sighted.

Name: Bob Morrison
Address: Nicholas Way
Views: Once upon a time a major connurbation deserved a hospital because it had so many people. Now it seems that if there are too many people the hospital must shut down.

What nonsense! So the Trust faces debts, so should the venture be shut because of the cost? This is not a venture looking for profit, but a public service. It has merely cost more than the authorities wanted to spend but accordingly cannot be judged purely by the meanness of the authorities.

What the Minister and Departmental Civil Servants should do is provide stability over the long term, by properly supported long term strategy, rather than imposing a series of short-term strategy changes that simply waste the money spent on the policies produced for the previous strategy without putting any value into the services.

20 years ago our first child was expected in an atmosphere of uncertainty as to whether we would be forced to Watford. In the event, he decided to take us by surprise in the Midlands. 18+ years ago the staff of the Maternity Unit off Queensway welcomed our second son, fully confident of the unit's future and of its new premises. 

17 years ago our third child was born in the unit's new (refurbished) quarters, not as large as hoped perhaps, but well equipped.

15 years ago our fourth child was born at home, as an example of the teamwork, flexibility and availability of experienced mid-wives on-call.

Now all of that heritage is put to one side. Hemel is not prestigious enough to have a front line hospital, the authorities indicate. Even our recent catastrophe at Buncefield seems not to have led them to realise that with maybe 60,000+ people within its area an Emergency care facility is necessary.

Much rhetoric is now to be spent on returning health care to the community ! but that would seem to mean exposing us to giving birth on the streets (on the half-hour journey to the Maternity Unit) or being tended in the back of an ambulance because there is not a berth for you in any reachable hospital (because you had an accident after 30 others, so are just too late for today).

The local doctors and nurses are a marvellous bunch, but they need much better support than this!

They are our real resource and if we lose them, through lack of management support, then any new or refurbished project will fail, wherever our local centre is put.

Name: Lindsey Simpson
Address: Hemel Hempstead
Views: I am disgusted and astonished by the shortsighted decision to ‘temporarily' close the Hemel Birth Centre (HBC). This decision is not only fundamentally flawed financially, but it risks the lives of women and babies in Hemel and the surrounding area – is this what the NHS is now about?

I gave birth to my daughter at HBC in May. We had the most amazing experience and care.

Caroline and her team are so professional and so dedicated and have a wonderful, holistic environment for low-risk mums.

Incidentally, as we were only in the Birth Centre for 10 hours, and were completely drug free we were a relatively cheap birth too. This is in stark contrast to several of my peers who had horrific and degrading experiences – some at Watford General – because the staff were run ragged and resources were incredibly stretched.

THE FACTS

· Birth Centres are cheaper to run than consultant units which are only sensible when their use is confined to the high risk population who need them.

· Birth Centres provide home from home care and a lower need for, and risk of, intervention.

· Intervention costs more and often brings with it distress and repercussions that mean greater long term cost to the NHS.

· Natural births generally mean quicker recovery and less burden on the NHS, plus happier, healthier mums, babies and families.

The HBC is underused because it is under promoted – that is the simple truth. Please stop this madness and reopen the birth centre now and provide the midwives with the support they desperately need. This not only makes FINANCIAL SENSE but HUMANITARIAN SENSE too. This has gone too far already. Please ACT now and save this fantastic facility which the community so desperately needs.

Name: Edie Glatter
Address: Gravel Lane
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I very much support your campaign. I believe we should not only have our birthing centre kept open but that a full maternity unit dealing with all births should be available at Hemel Hempstead Hospital. I would very much doubt the savings the Trust predicts are accurate as they will still be employing the midwives and staff are the biggest cost in the NHS.
I thank the wonderful midwives who have worked so hard to give mothers the experience they should have with a birth. It is shameful that once again Hemel is losing services and to lose an award winning birth centre is a national disgrace.


Name: nicola hawes
Address: herbert st
hemel hempstead herts
Views: I am expecting my first baby 16.2.06 and am very disapointed to have my choice removed by the fact that Hemel has been shut, Hemel is a growing town with lots of new housing being built (as well as having been built). This is going to mean more babies being born in the area and Watford is not big enough to cope or easily enough to get to and almost impossible to get to on football and rugby match days. There is no room for expansion and with all plans that seem to point to A & E also beening moved to Watford the roads nor the hospital will be able to cope. I feel it is going to cost more in ambulance service and midwives at home deliveries because people are no longer able to use hemel!


Name: Sally Mason
Address: Bingham Close
Hemel Hempstead Herts
Views: Given the fact that Hemel is a fast growing town and that more & more homes are being built, how can they justify shutting down any part of the hospital? Taking into account that Watford General is right next door to the football ground, any mother in the midst of labour does not want to be stuck in traffic whilst giving birth. Having had 3 children at Hemel hospitals (St Pauls as well as West Herts)I found the care extremely good, family and friends were near enough to visit, even if they didn't drive, putting people in Watford is going to put a strain on not only the patient but the visitors, a very bad idea!

Name: Lisa
Address: Hemel Hempstead
Views: In September 2006 hopefully I will be starting a course in midwifery at Hertfordshire university. To hear this news that my local birthing unit may be closing is beyond belief. I hoped to be able to work in Hemel when I am qualified, but it seems now I will need to work elsewhere. This will no doubt cause major disruption to mothers, babies, fathers and midwives loacted in Hemel. I think it's unreasonable to ask a woman in labour to travel a larger distance than she needs to, to be able to have her baby. Surely the birth of a baby, the most important time in its life and probably its' parents' lives too, should have priority? Why does the birthing unit need to close? Surely cut-backs can be made in other areas? Are we putting a price on life?

Name: Anita Keen
Address: Nightingale Walk
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I can't understand or see the logic in closing down an award winning birth centre. I moved to Hemel in 2004 and had intentions to stay in the area with my husband and have children in the next few years. However, if there is no birth centre or local facility I will most definitely consider moving out of Hemel. I don't know the facts, but why does it always feel like this government is always taking away things that are rightly ours? It seems so much of our hard earned money goes to regenerating the North and inner-city London boroughs and only for our quality of life to suffer - our local services always seem to be the first to be attacked and I'm scared that all our emergency and other services will one day be gone. They probably want to get rid of the birth centre so that they can sell the land to a big corporation or build more housing - GREAT!!

TRACY CHADWICK
Address:
WROXHAM AVENUE
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
Views: I myself gave birth at Hemel Hospital and feel that it is a disgrace that a town the size of Hemel Hempstead would not have a birthing unit of some kind. As an expectant mother, you need to know you have medical facilities available on your doorstep. The town is expanding with new housing going up all the time and the new Apsley Lock site and Riverside Shopping Centre attracting more people to the town. It would be a worrying day if the unit shut down.

Name: Jackie Brooks
Address: st albans hill
hemel hempstead herts
Views: This unit is fantastic. Giving birth can be a very anxious and difficult time, this unit and its staff contribute hugely in allaying these problems. The environment is perfect for a relaxed and enyoyable and very personal, emotional experience. The community should not be without this valuable and worthwhile unit. My fist baby was born april 2000 at the origional maternity unit, the second in jan 2002 born there also, the third and fourth born may 2003 and october 2005 were born at the birthing unit. Hemel hempstead needs this facility to promote confidence for future mums to be.

Name: A mum
Views: When i was expecting my first child the birthing centre at Hemel had not opened so I gave birth at Watford. Without going into too many details, this was not an experience I would wish to repeat. I am now pregnant again and was looking forward to delivering this baby at Hemel, especially after so many wonderful things about the unit from friends who have given birth there. Unfortunately this does not now seem possible and my husband & I have the dilemma of deciding where to go - I definitely do not want to go to Watford so I feel my options are very limited. Why will the powers that be not wake up and listen to what the people of this area want? Surely that is what we pay for through our extortionate taxes? Forcing more & more people to Watford hospital will simply make the service that is already in crisis, collapse.

Name: Iain and Shelly
Address: Gadebridge Road
Views: As we are expecting our first child we where looking foward to our baby being born in Hemel Hempstead. We had heard very good stories about the birth unit in Hemel hospital and have met some mothers who have given the unit a very good appraisal.

It saddens us to hear of this closure as we and other expectant mothers now have to travel to Watford. Watford means we will be rushed, we will be kicked out within a few hours of the birth, no time for Shelly to rest and to bond with her baby, we have to make way for the next mother because there is overcrowding due to the birth unit at Hemel closing. Ship em in and ship em out!! Its a conveyor belt.

At Hemel you had time to rest in comfortable home from home surroundings with no pressure.

To me that sounds like the ideal way to give birth and bond with your baby and to be looked after by an excellent midwifery team. No pressure, no being kicked out the door.

That precious time after birth is so important for mother and child and for that reason alone I ask you not to take it away.

Name: Mr Paterson
Address: marlins turn
hemel hempstead
Views: I was born in Hemel Hempstead hospital, and my children were both born born there. Take away the birthing unit and you might as well put another nail in the Hemel Hmpstead coffin. Bit by bit our services are being taken away from us, and you think that giving us more shops and an entertainment centre makes up for it. We need a first rate hospital to make a first rate town

Name: Andrew Boniface
Address: Bennetts end road,
Hemel Hempstead, Herts

Name: Ruth Barnett b_
Address: Morefields
Tring
Views: I am really disappointed to hear that the Birthing unit may have to close down having given birth to my baby son their last August. I found the atmosphere to be very calm and and felt that I was in excellent hands, which I am sure was good for both baby and myself. The staff are very supportive and professional. The whole experience left me feeling relaxed and able to enjoy the occasion.

Name: K Su
Address: Roughdown Avenue
Views: Giving birth at the Hemel birthing centre was a complete dream compared to having a baby at Watford and the staff were wonderful. It'll be a complete waste to shut it.

Name: Mrs J Dickson
Address: St Agnells Lane
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I do not have direct experience or knowledge about the birthing unit. My three children (now grown up) were all born at St Paul's Hospital. I remember well how pleased we all were when the new maternity unit opened. My argument is that it is totally unacceptable for a town the size of Hemel Hempstead to be without maternity services. Patricia Hewitt talks about offering an 'improved service for all'. This is absolute rubbish! How can travelling 8 miles or so through the traffic as it is now be an improvement?

Name: William Cherry
Address: Crabtree Lane,
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire


Name: A mum-to-be
Think it is sickening that they are trying to now close the birthing centre down in hemel hempstead. i am currently pegnant and was hoping to have my child locally in this centre. now i am having to think about having a home birth and this is adding added stress to my health as is it for countless other females in the same position as myself. Can't we have the dignity of having any local health services without having to travel out of Hemel Hempstead.....

Name: denise pearce
Address: montgomery ave,
adeyfield,
hemel hempstead herts hp2 4he

Name: mick pearce b_
Address: montgomery ave,
adeyfield,
hemel hempstead

Name: karen pearce
everest way
adeyfeild,
hemel hempstead herts

Name: Glen & Esther Rawlings
Address: Argyll Rd Grove Hill
Hemel Hempstead
Views: We have had both of our boys at the Hemel birthing unit, and we cant believe that its going to close. The unit is fantastic and the staff are brilliant. We had recommended it to friends as our experience was so good. We dont understand why this has to close!? Are we going to have no medical units in Hemel at all? If the Mother isnt having any problems the birthing unit is splendid, its calming and very relaxed. I hope that it wont close and that many more parents will have there children at this brilliant birthing unit .....finger crossed.

Name: Melanie Archer
Address: Plantation Walk
Gadebridge
Hemel Hempstead Herts

Name: Brenda Mayhew
Aycliffe Drive
Grovehill
Hemel Hempstead
Herts
Views: I am appalled to hear of the latest closures and have been strongly voicing my protest to Patricia Hewitt. Whether or not she takes notice remains to be seen but I hope that if she doesn't then she will have the decency to let someone else take on the job - for let's face it - they couldn't make a worse job of it!

Name: Mrs Gwyneth Sharp
Address: Leighton Buzzard Road
Hemel Hempstead
Herts
Views: It is about time that the people who decide what they think is good for the community take on board what the community actually feel and want. Watford Hospitalis far too inaccessible to be an option. One day they will regret their decision when a catrastophy occurs but then it will be too late.


Name: JILL & GERALD MITCHELL
Address:  NEPTUNE DRIVE
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
Views: TWO OF OUR GRANDDAUGHTERS HAVE GIVEN BIRTH TO THREE CHILDREN AT THE
BIRTHING UNIT SINCE 2000 AND BOTH WERE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH THEIR EXPERIENCE
WHERE SUCH GOOD CARE WAS AFFORDED THEM.

NOW THAT CONFINED MOTHERS HAVE SUCH A SHORT STAY AFTER THE BIRTH OF THEIR
BABIES, IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO HAVE A FACILITY CLOSE TO HOME.  BELIEVE IT, OR NOT, SOME FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN TRANSPORT AND COULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO AND FROM A HOSPITAL OUTSIDE OF DACORUM AND WOULD BE FORCED INTO USING EITHER THE AMBULANCE SERVICE, OR TAXIS.