Meetings approach to let people have their say on the future of birthing services in Lichfield and Stafford

A series of meetings are approaching that will give everyone a chance to have their say on the future of freestanding midwife-led birthing services in Stafford and Lichfield. 

A public consultation launched on 12 May and runs until Sunday 3 August 2025. More than 600 responses to the consultation survey have already been received. 

The units at County Hospital and Samuel Johnson Community Hospital suspended birthing services during the COVID pandemic, and they have not restarted since. Antenatal and postnatal services have continued. 

Heather Johnstone, a former midwife and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent’s Chief Nursing and Therapies Officer said: “Our proposal safeguards all the services that are currently at the units but will mean that births, which have not taken place there for five years, will not now return. 

“There is no intention to close the units and they are used as bases for community midwives and hold many appointments both before and after births take place.” 

Midwife-led care is available at Royal Stoke University Hospital and at Queen’s Hospital, Burton – and will continue to be available, alongside consultant-led birthing services. 

To attend one of the meetings, you must book a place in advance.  

Lichfield and Stafford meetings bookings close a week before the events, so further parking and venue information can be sent in good time to those attending.  Lichfield meeting sites will be confirmed according to which venue best suits numbers attending. Bookings for online meetings close just under a week before they take place. 

The four face-to-face meetings are at: 

Lichfield, Wednesday 25 June, 6-8pm – Samuel Johnson Community Hospital Seminar Room, Lichfield, WS13 6EF, OR The Guildhall, Lichfield, WS13 6LU*  

Lichfield, Monday 7 July, 12-2pm – Lichfield Community Fire Station, Lichfield, WS13 6HU OR The Guildhall, Lichfield, WS13 6LU*  

Stafford, Tuesday 8 July, 6-8pm – Beaconside Conference Centre, Stafford Education & Enterprise Park, Weston Road, ST18 0BF  

Stafford, Thursday 10 July, 3-5pm – Beaconside Conference Centre, Stafford Education & Enterprise Park, Weston Road, ST18 0BF  

There will also be two online meetings, on Monday 30 June, 12-2pm, and Wednesday 2 July, 6-8pm. 

To attend a meeting, book via the ICB website (see links below). 

The consultation is also going out to community groups such as parent and toddler sessions, postnatal support groups and well-baby clinics to chat to people who are there on the day.  

If you’re involved in a group like this and would like us to join you for a conversation about the consultation, please get in touch. You can email us at ssotics.comms@staffsstoke.icb.nhs.uk