A decision over the future of maternity services across Tendring has been welcomed.

Tendring Primary Care Trust has agreed to continue to commission services from Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust, but will purchase some locally to meet the recommendations of national guidelines under Changing Childbirth.

Team midwifery will be developed in Clacton, similar to that already established in Harwich.

Both Clacton and Harwich GP units will become known as midwife-led units, providing 24-hour care to women with low-risk pregnancies who choose to deliver at either unit.

Anne Ferris, head of midwifery services, was pleased with the trust board's decision. "We now have much work to do to meet the Tendring PCT implementation date of April 2002," she said.

"The agreed changes to the service have the full support of all midwives working in both Clacton and Harwich."

Mrs Ferris said meetings will now be arranged as soon as possible with all staff working in both towns about the changes.

Jonathan Geldard, chairman of Tendring PCT executive committee, said efforts had been made to ascertain the type of maternity service appropriate to the people of Tendring, as well as the service people wanted.

"We are pleased to be working with Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust to provide this level of service."

Women at Calcton and Harwich who develop problems in labour and need to be transferred to Colchester will receive continued care from a midwife that they will know, who will provide an escort for the journey and remain with them until their baby is born.

Women who opt to have their baby in Colchester will receive ante-natal and post-natal care from their team midwife and will receive care in labour from the core team.

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