THERE is no clinical justification for reducing the maternity service at Malton Hospital, says John Greenway, Ryedale's MP.

Speaking this week to the Gazette & Herald from Westminster, Mr Greenway said he had written to the chief executive of the Scarborough, Ryedale and Whitby NHS Trust, Alison Guy, telling her that the "status quo" of retaining the existing level of service and care must be an option put to the public.

"The idea of the maternity unit only being available from 8am to 8 pm is one the people of the Ryedale are not prepared to tolerate and I agree with them wholeheartedly."

Mr Greenway said the Audit Commission's report on the high cost of maternity services in the NHS trust for this area had clearly indicated that it was due to the costs at Scarborough General and not the community hospitals of Malton and Whitby.

He said he had met with Ms Guy last March to discuss the issue.

"I was told it was likely that the maternity unit at Malton would be retained as a complete service."

While he appreciated the NHS trust had financial problems, it should not try to resolve them by reducing services at Malton hospital.

"Its maternity service has, over the years, proved to be effective, safe and popular with the public."

Mr Greenway added that it was "nonsense" to consider centralising services at Scarborough when the Government's policy was to localise services at such hospitals as Malton.

He believed that reducing the maternity service at Malton would put extra pressure on York District Hospital as opposed to Scarborough General.

"The feeling is overwhelming that Malton's maternity unit should be retained at its present level," said Mr Greenway.

"If it is reduced, there will be very considerable anger and opposition from the whole area."

Updated: 14:26 Wednesday, June 04, 2003