Bring births back to Crowborough!

More than 1,500 local people have signed MP Nus Ghani’s petition opposing NHS Trust plans to pause all births and inpatient facilities at Crowborough Birthing Centre from 2 October until May 2026 due to ongoing staffing shortages.

Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, which run the unit, have stated that community antenatal and postnatal services will continue unaffected.

Expectant mothers though, will be transferred to Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Maidstone Birth Centre in Kent, with other facilities also available in Haywards Heath and Eastbourne's Midwifery Unit at the DGH.

A trust spokesperson said the closure was a "difficult decision" which would be "disappointing news for the people who are affected".

The statement read: "Our priority is to provide safe, high-quality and reliable maternity care for families, and we are working with partners across Kent and Sussex to look at how we deliver a long-term, sustainable service.

"Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Maidstone offer high-quality midwifery-led care with access to birthing pools, reflect our dedication to personalised care which supports each person's preferences."

Home births may also be an option following a home birth assessment, the trust said.

Ms Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald is backing the campaign and said: “Upon receiving this information, I have immediately contacted the Trust to request an urgent meeting, which took place on Friday 12th September, with representatives of The Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and Trustees of The Friends of Crowborough Hospital.

“I appreciate that the Trust is faced with staffing challenges and that patient safety always takes priority. However, it is a dire situation, unacceptable to mums-to-be in Crowborough, Sussex Weald, and across the South East. Women deserve a choice.

“We have been here before, and I will continue working with The Friends of Crowborough Hospital, as I have done for the past 10 years, to ensure that the service is resumed and sustained for years to come.

“I am hugely grateful to over 1,500 submissions made already, highlighting the importance of the service. Please continue to share your views with me, so that we can put pressure on the Trust and present data that clearly shows how needed and valuable the Birthing Centre is and that by prolonged closures, they are denying women the choice to have their babies in Crowborough.

“This is a team effort, and we need the community to work with us.”

You can add your name to the petition here:  http://www.nusghani.org.uk/birthingcentre