TWO Ryedale town councils this week called for a rethink on the controversial plan to axe deliveries at Malton Hospital's maternity unit.

Kirkbymoorside town mayor Coun Gaynor de Barr said an unconvincing case had been put forward by NHS bosses who want to axe the unit as a place where mums-to-be can have their babies, instead keeping it as a base for midwives who would operate a home-delivery service.

She told a meeting of the town council: "I would like to see the maternity service not only be retained but developed at Malton."

She added that in one instance a woman, who had been taken to Scarborough General to be induced had been told there was no bed available and advised to walk around the shops to fill in time. "She did - for five hours."

Coun Nigel Richardson believed it would be more economic to have a consultant travel to Malton Hospital rather than build a six-bed maternity unit at Scarborough.

County Coun Val Arnold said she strongly backed retaining Malton Hospital's maternity unit. "We should keep this service for local people."

Meanwhile at Pickering Town Council, the town mayor, Coun Julie Hepworth also called for Malton Hospital's maternity services to be enhanced, while Coun Joan Taylor added she did not believe the NHS Trust had taken into account the projected increase in the number of family homes to be built in Ryedale over the next few years.

Town clerk Andrew Husband said: "There is a loyalty to Malton Hospital, and for proper care concern for the mothers. Any new system is untried and tested."

Coun Arthur Aslett said that for Ryedale women to have to travel to either Scarborough or York hospitals' maternity units involved a 20-mile journey. "That is a long way for anyone in labour and who is, to say the least, feeling very anxious. Apart from the distance, the congestion on both roads can be extremely bad and delays can be expected especially in summer. That delay could prove fatal to the mother or child. It is an unnecessary risk especially as Malton Hospital has not only excellent facilities but also an excellent record."

Coun Judy Dixon said: "Malton's maternity unit is popular because of the individual nature and the facilities, not least the supportive staff."

Meanwhile, Ryedale residents needing hospital treatment have been told that the future of their local hospital, Scarborough General, is assured - for the time being.

Neil Collier, acting chairman of the Scarborough and North Yorkshire East NHS Trust, told a public meeting at the resort's Central Library, that the hospital and its accident and emergency department were safe "for the foreseeable future" but added that people needed to opt to have their operation at that hospital, rather than an NHS-funded private hospital, to ensure its current financial plight improved.

Mr Collier said a new chairman and chief executive would be in post by mid-April, to replace Richard Grunwell and Alison Guy.

He added that "This hospital is excellent, its waiting lists are among the lowest in the country and it has consultants who are nationally recognised for their skills."

Interim chief executive Iain McInnes also gave assurances on the hospital's future but added that there could be "uncertain political changes which may be ahead".

He said the projected debt of £9 million would be reduced to £7.2 million by the end of next month, although the trust had what he described as "historic debts" of £13 million.

Leo McGrory, chairman of the Public and Patient Involvement Forum, said 16,000 signatures had been collected and delivered to Health Minister Rosie Winterton opposing any cuts in the patient services at Scarborough including the pain clinic, and the maternity units at Malton and Whitby Hospitals, including the Birth Right petition organised by the Gazette & Herald.

  • A public meeting is to be held on the future of Malton Hospital's services at Ryedale House on March 12 at 6.30pm.