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Cross party support at Bring Birth’s Back to Banbury campaign banner launch
22/11/2024
A second dossier of birth traumas since maternity at the Horton was downgraded will be released soon
The Keep The Horton General group launched a new banner outside the entrance to the Horton’s maternity unit this afternoon.
Proclaiming “Bring Births Back to Banbury”, the banner states a clear desire to see a full obstetric service returned to the Horton General. The full service was replaced with a midwife led service in 2016.
This summer a Birth Trauma dossier was released, highlighting a number of traumatic stories from mothers who were forced to travel to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford when they need a doctor – often in an emergency situation.
Stood infront of the Bring Births Back to Banbury banner Keith Strangwood from the Keep The Horton General said: “This is our new message, which has been motivated by the 50 case dossier that we had printed. Part two is being printed at the moment and these are mothers that have come forward with their terrible experiences since the loss of obstetrics, full maternity services in October 2016. That’s eight years that these mothers have suffered – and these are just the brave ones that have come forward.”
Local political figures from across the political divide attended the launch, with Labour MP Sean Woodcock and Conservative and Liberal Democrat Councillors Kieron Mallon and Chris Brant joining members of the Keep The Horton General group.
Mr Strangwood noted it was both the government and NHS England that needed to listen to the clear message from Banbury people.
He said: “They need to prioritise where people want their money spent and what’s more important than a new life. We’re coming up to Christmas – the most famous birth in history.
“A lot of people don’t value services all across the NHS because they don’t use it very often. Then when they do go to use it unfortunately it might not be there for them.”
For local people Mr Strangwood highlighted the importance of their support. He said: “The message is get involved; find out what’s going on; publicise what’s going on with their local hospital, which is being left to rack and ruin in regard to maternity services.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam