"MAKE your voice heard!" That's the message to Ryedale residents at the start of a long debate into the future of local maternity services.

This week kicks-off the three month-long consultation period involving medical experts, councillors and members of the public about proposed changes into the provision of maternity care in the region.

Under new plans bosses from the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust want to axe all deliveries at Malton Hospital and encourage mothers to have home births. Those who opt for a hospital delivery will be transported to Scarborough and York to give birth.

Speaking at a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council's scrutiny of health committee, acting chief executive of the Trust Iain McInnes insisted that these proposals are not a 'done deal' and encouraged people to get involved.

A spokeswoman for the NHS trust has urged as many people the local community to get involved as possible. She said: "The consultation period will start this week and a formal document outlining the reasons for the proposed changes to maternity services will be made public by Friday at the latest.

"We would encourage as many people as possible to send their views in writing to the Trust and attend the scheduled public meetings.

"The formal consultation document will be available later this week on our website at www. scarborough.NHS. co. uk.

"When the consultation draws to a close in March we will carefully consider all points of view and make an appropriate decision, based on this."

At a meeting held on Friday of county councillors sitting on the scrutiny of health committee members were brought on board with the imminent consultation process.

As a part of this there will be public meetings held in Malton discussing the proposals.

On January 17 NHS bosses will be able to address concerns made by local councillors and residents, which is provisionally scheduled for 10.30am at Malton Rugby Club.

Other meetings with groups such as patients, district councillors and medical professionals have not been confirmed by the Trust.

It was mooted that a meeting in Malton would be held in late February but this has yet to be confirmed.

And to build on the success of the Gazette & Herald Birth Right campaign readers are urged to continue their support and keep sending in their petitions.

We want women to keep their right to have their babies in the friendly environment of Malton Hospital and not face being shipped to larger maternity wards in Scarborough, York or even Middlesbrough.

So far more than a 1,000 signatures have been collected and the petition will be handed to NHS officials at the end of the consultation process.