MATERNITY ward in Colchester and Harwich were closed 17 times last year, it has been revealed.

Almost half of maternity units at hospitals in England were closed to expectant mothers at least once during 2017, research by Labour has found, with the party blaming staff shortages and other resourcing problems.

Freedom of information (FoI) requests by Labour were sent out to all 135 hospital trusts in England, asking how many times their maternity units had been closed to new admissions during 2017, and to give the length of time and reason for any such closures.

Figures show maternity wards in the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust closed seventeen times, across two sites in Colchester and Harwich, all due to either staff shortages or lack of capacity.

Sometimes the wards were closed for up to eight hours.

MEP Alex Mayer said Colchester mothers-to-be are being ‘let down’ by the service.

Ms Mayer said: “Mums to be want to know that when the time comes to have their baby, the local maternity ward will be ready and open for them.

“Every mum who has been hit by these Tory cuts deserves an apology from this Government.

“In the NHS’s 70th Birthday year, it is time for an end to broken promises and for real investment in our NHS.”

The Royal College of Midwives’ estimate England is a whopping 3,500 midwives short.

Ms Meyer said before the 2010 general election the Government promised to recruit 3,000 more midwives, but feels this is a promise they have failed to keep.

We contacted the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust for a comment.

Catherine Morgan, director of nursing, said: “We recognise this is not an acceptable level of closures and we are working with our colleagues in maternity services across the Trust to look at how we improve the way in which we plan for and respond at times of peak activity in the maternity service.


“We aim to support women to give birth at their place of choice, whilst providing the best care for mothers and their babies and this remains a clear priority for the Trust and maternity services.”