A childbirth charity has hit out at health chiefs about how its research is being used to justify not reopening the Hemel Birth Centre.
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) carried out a survey of women for West Herts Primary Care Trust (PCT) as part of a review of maternity services, which concluded the birth unit was 'not viable'.
Chief executive Belinda Phipps says in an email t
o the PCT that she found the review team's report 'a very disappointing and disheartening read'.
"I am afraid you have misinterpreted the research the NCT carried out on your behalf," she said.
She says NCT research showed nine out of ten women in Hemel Hempstead - and seven in ten in St Albans - would use the birth unit, which is for low-risk births.
"Ninety-seven per cent of respondents to our survey said that it was important to be able to reach the place of birth within 20 minutes by car," she said.
"I am very aware that Hemel Birth Centre is a political football caught in the plans to downsize or close Hemel Hospital.
"However, irrespective of the future of Hemel there really should be a birth centre and strong home birth service in Hemel and St Albans and a strong home birth service in Watford.
"I find it disappointing to see so much time spent on yet another report to justify an action, to close the birth centre in Hemel, that is convenient for managers, not good for women, their babies and partners."
The PCT will be meeting next Tuesday (January 27) to discuss the report and if a decision is made to back its recommendations a statutory three-month public consultation on the birth unit will take place later this year.
The unit opened in 2003 to soften the blow of the loss of full maternity services but it was closed in 2005, despite enjoying massive public support.
In a statement the PCT said the review was carried out by independent experts.
"It is clear from their findings that not everyone who spoke with them agreed on the way forward but the overriding consideration of the review team in reaching their conclusions was the safety of maternity services for women and babies," the statement said.
"They very much supported the expansion of community midwifery services and further local developments in antenatal and postnatal care."
