Another maternity service is to be closed due to a freak shortage of midwives.

In-patient overnight stays are being stopped at William Julien Courtauld Hospital's maternity unit in Braintree so staff can cover for 18 pregnant midwives in clinics across mid-Essex.

The same has already happened to midwives at St Peter's Hospital in Maldon who will cover at St John's Hospital in Chelmsford until November.

Midwives at William Julien Courtauld Hospital will then take over at St John's until February.

The move means pregnant mothers in the Braintree area will have to travel to Chelmsford if they plan on staying one or more nights at hospital.

But low-risk expectant mothers can still use the Braintree hospital to have their babies delivered and go home the same day with support from district midwives.

Full ante-natal clinics such as parentcraft classes, scanning services and monitoring will still be available.

North Essex Health Authority spokeswoman Kim Wilks said operating full services over just two units was the only way a totally safe system could be maintained.

She added: "Expectant mothers agree with midwives in advance whether they want to stay overnight at hospital. So before they go into labour they will know if they are going to St John's Hospital or William Julien Courtauld Hospital.

"The health service has spent months trying to come up with a solution because 18 midwives falling pregnant at the same time is an unique situation.

"We decided on suspending services because we felt it was the only way we could maintain a safe service. It is only temporary."

But Braintree MP Alan Hurst said the move was likely to cause concern among residents.

He added: "William Julien Courtauld is still a sensitive issue in the town after the recent threat of closure and I think there will be an atmosphere of caution.

"Although safety is a priority, I still think we need further reassurance that the maternity service will resume back to normal from February.

The number of midwife mums-to-be meant the Mid-Essex Hospital Services Trust was having to launch an emergency recruitment drive to maintain services.

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