New dad fears for excellent maternity unit (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)

New dad fears for excellent maternity unit

3:00pm Sunday 17th February 2013 in Harwich and Manningtree News

A NEW father who fears Harwich will lose its maternity unit is urging parents to speak up about the importance of the facility.

Anthony Charles, 33, worries Fryatt Hospital will provide a stripped back maternity service and could lose birthing facilities to cut costs.

The North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group is currently assessing how it provides maternity care across the area.

Anthony and his fiance Kelly Steward, 31, of Clayton Road, Dovercourt, welcomed their first child into the world on Saturday, February 9, and said the care their received at Fryatt Hospital was first class.

Downgrading in other counties has meant some services at smaller centres, such as birthing, are unavailable.

Mr Charles worries Dovercourt might lose out in the future as the NHS looks to cut costs.

A hospital spokesperson said it had not made any decision about the future of Fryatt’s maternity but should come to an agreement in the summer.