Public consultation on the future of freestanding midwife-led birthing units in south Staffordshire to start

A public consultation is launching today (Mon 12 May) to gather views on the future of birthing services at the freestanding midwife-led birthing units (FMBUs) in Stafford and Lichfield.

Birthing services at the current FMBUs at County Hospital in Stafford and Lichfield’s Samuel Johnson Community Hospital have been temporarily closed for births since the COVID-19 pandemic. This was to make sure there were sufficient midwifery staff to safely operate the maternity departments at Royal Stoke University Hospital and Queen’s Hospital, Burton.

Now, NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB), the body responsible for the running of health services locally, is looking to decide whether or not the birthing services closure should be made permanent. In the case of Lichfield this is being done alongside NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB who are the leads for the Samuel Johnson Community Hospital.

Heather Johnstone, Chief Nursing and Therapies Officer at NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board ICB, and a former midwife, said: “I know that these units offer a unique birthing option suited to women with low-risk pregnancies. However, because they operate independently, they don’t have immediate access to consultant-led medical support such as anaesthetics.

“Also, in the year before their closure fewer than 3 in 100 of the babies in our area were born there.

“We also know that high-risk pregnancies are becoming ever more common, so we expect that in future even fewer women would choose to give birth in a smaller hospital without specialist support at close hand.”

The proposal would also help the region better manage, following a shortage of midwives which has been seen across the country, and it aligns with the NHS three-year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services.

Heather added: “Not re-opening the birthing services at these units would mean our midwives are where they’re needed most, making sure we continue to have safe and sustainable staffing in our busiest maternity hospitals in Stoke-on-Trent and Burton.

“As well as making the best use of our midwives’ time, this will help keep their skills sharp, as they will have a more varied caseload and assist with many more births.”

“Women who would like the choice of a midwife-led birth can be reassured that this option would still be available to them at both the Royal Stoke and Burton hospitals. I’m glad to say that home birthing services have also been fully restored across our area.

“The two FMBUs have stayed open for antenatal and postnatal appointments, and we want this to continue.”

The public consultation is being held from Monday 12 May to Sunday 3 August 2025. This is an opportunity for you to learn about the proposal and share your thoughts. You can find out more details, include planned events taking place, on our website.