Eastbourne midwifery unit suspends services due to coronavirus pandemic

In a statement on Friday afternoon (March 27), the EMU said they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the decision, but said it was made to ensure the safety of mothers and their babies.

The temporary suspension of services is in place from Monday (March 30) at 9am and is likely to last for at least 12 weeks.

Maternity care during that time will be provided at Conquest Hospital’s obstetric unit instead, before the suspension decision is reviewed.

In a letter, the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: “The maternity team at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust are committed to ensuring the safety of our mothers and their babies. In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic it is with regret that we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend the homebirth service and Eastbourne Midwifery Unit (EMU) birth service.

“Your maternity care will therefore be provided at the Conquest Hospital, Hastings, obstetric unit.

“We wish to reassure all families using our services, that we have not taken this decision lightly or without considerable thought to any other suitable options. A key factor is that the ambulance service is under considerable pressure and cannot guarantee a timely response to calls for transfer to the maternity unit in an emergency from a homebirth or EMU. This would present an unacceptable risk to mothers and their babies.”