Birthing services at midwife-led units

The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) has published the Report of Findings following the public consultation on midwife-led birthing services at County Hospital, Stafford, and Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, Lichfield. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the consultation, including members of the public, stakeholders and partner organisations.

The consultation considered a proposal to make permanent the temporary closure of the freestanding midwife-led birthing units introduced in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The formal public consultation took place between 12 May 2025 and 3 August 2025, during which more than 1,400 responses were received from members of the public, stakeholders and partner organisations.

While birthing services have remained closed, antenatal and postnatal care has continued at both sites. Since the pandemic, Glucose Tolerance Testing (GTT) and Anti-D services have not been provided at Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, with these services delivered from alternative locations. Additional targeted engagement was undertaken throughout February 2026 to better understand the impact of these arrangements and identify any potential mitigations.

The Report of Findings summarises the feedback received through both the public consultation and further engagement activity. It will support development of a Decision-Making Business Case, which will progress through the ICB’s governance process, with the aim of being considered by the ICB Board in early autumn.

No decision has yet been made regarding the future of midwife-led birthing services at either site. All feedback and evidence gathered through the consultation and engagement process will be fully considered before any final decision is taken.

What are glucose tolerance tests (GTTs) and anti-D injections?

GTT is a blood test used to diagnose gestational diabetes, which can occur during pregnancy. Anti-D immunoglobin is given to women whose blood type is RhD negative to prevent an immune response when the baby’s blood type is RhD positive.

How can I find out more about the 2025 consultation?

You can read more about the 2025 consultation lower down this page, including links to documents you can download and other information pages on this website.

[ends]

2025 consultation: the background

The consultation proposal outlines the permanent closure of the birthing services at two freestanding midwife-led birthing units (FMBUs). These are at County Hospital, Stafford, and Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, Lichfield.

The birthing services have been temporarily closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The units remained open for antenatal and postnatal care and these services would continue to be offered as part of the consultation proposal.

To read more about the FMBUs and the proposal, download the consultation document (further down this page) or visit these other pages:

• Maternity Transformation – Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, Integrated Care Board
• Birthing services available locally – Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, Integrated Care Board
• Birthing services consultation – What is the proposal?
• Birthing services proposal – Advantages & disadvantages

How we gathered views and how your feedback will be used

There was a great response to our survey, which was completed by more than 1,400 people, including 61 responses received to the easy read version.

We held four public meetings, two in Lichfield and two online. Two meetings were made available in Stafford, but due to low uptake from the public, those who did wish to attend were able to join online events instead.

As well as these formal meetings, we also went out to community groups such as parent and toddler sessions, postnatal support groups and well-baby clinics to chat to people who were there on the day to hear views and share information.

We have gathered all the responses, views and comments from the survey, meetings, community group visits and correspondence. This feedback will be independently analysed, and a report of findings will be written. It will help to inform the decision about the proposal, which Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB is legally responsible for making. We will hold a meeting in public about this – please check back here for the date.

Want to find out more about our birthing services consultation?

You can find out more information from our consultation page.

You can also download these documents:

• Consultation document (24 pages plus appendix)
• Easy read consultation document (24 pages – has larger text and images)
• Pre-Consultation Business Case (142 pages plus appendices. This is the formal document presented to NHS England about the proposal, why it is needed and how it has been developed.)
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Keep in touch

Email: ssotics.comms@staffsstoke.icb.nhs.uk

Online meetings took place on:

• Monday 30 June, 12-2pm – Registration now closed.
• Wednesday 2 July, 6-8pm – Registration now closed.

Face-to-face meetings took place on:

• Wednesday 25 June, 6-8pm – Lichfield, Samuel Johnson Community Hospital Seminar Room, Lichfield, WS13 6EF, or The Guildhall, Lichfield, WS13 6LU – Registration now closed.
• Monday 7 July, 12-2pm – The Guildhall, Lichfield, WS13 6LU – Registration now closed.