Ante-natal classes off (From Penarth Times)

Ante-natal classes off

ANTE-NATAL classes have been stopped at Llandough Hospital due to a shortage of midwives.

The classes, attended by the majority of expectant mums - and many dads - explain the birth process and the early days after birth.

The lessons, which have also been cancelled in the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, have been shelved so midwives can concentrate on frontline services.

The classes are expected to start again in July.

Brenda Rees, head of midwifery for Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, said: "Women are being given information on National Childbirth Trust classes and midwives are giving extra one-to-one advice in ante-natal home visits."

Chief Officer of patient watchdog the Vale of Glamorgan Community Health Council (CHC), Gordon Harop, said: "We are very disappointed at the loss of the ante-natal classes, and will be pressing the local health board to reinstate the service as soon as possible."

The news comes as the Vale CHC accepted the proposed changes to maternity services at Llandough.

They accepted that the changes would give women choices - and improve the ability of the hospital to retain midwives - although they declared they had reservations about the switch to a midwife led unit.

The CHC"s endorsement of the Local Health Board proposal, which is part of sweeping changes in services for women and babies planned by Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, will see the hospital"s obstetric unit move to UHW.

Neonatal Services will also move to Cardiff if the LHB plan goes ahead. Outpatients and Gynaecological Oncology will stay at Llandough.

At a meeting of the CHC panel on Monday - which followed a three-month public consulation on the proposed changes - members said they were happy with the concept of a midwife-led unit, but wanted assurances of sufficient staff to run the unit.

Under the proposed £11 million changes, Vale mums-to-be will go to Llandough unless there is an existing or anticipated problem during pregnancy, in which case they will have to go to UHW where doctors will be based.

If problems arise at Llandough during birth, the patient will be transferred to Cardiff by ambulance, accompanied by a midwife.

CHC members expressed concern about the time it would take for such a transfer.

The council visited hospitals in Caerphilly and Neath, where services have changed to midwife-led, to gauge the success of the changes.

They found midwives were happier in the new units and more inclined to stay in their jobs. Chair of the meeting, Jenny Hughes said: "With the new service women will have choices - with more chance for home births."