A GOVERNMENT report has slammed the closure of small maternity units - just weeks after the decision was made to shut one in Liverpool.
The news that University Hospital Aintree was to lose its specialist unit caused outrage after it was revealed mums-to-be will be forced to travel across the city to Liverpool Women's Hospital in Toxteth.
Last night a report by the House of Commons select committee highlighted concerns about the closure of such units saying it added to a reduction in choices for pregnant women.
The report said more options should be given to women about where they want to have their babies and their screening, testing and method of birth.
But a spokeswoman for Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority, which managed the decision to close Aintree's maternity unit, defended the closure.
She said: "We acknowledge that choices are very important for women but the driving factor in the changes in maternity services in North Liverpool was to ensure that the service provided there was a safe one.
"Community services are being developed locally and women will always have the choice of a home birth where it is clinically safe to do so."
A spokesman for the Women's Hospital added: "Merseyside is now feeling the effect of a national shortage of midwives and recruitment is difficult.
"The plans to centralise obstetric in-patient services on one site will mean that better use can be made of available midwifery resources."
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