MP Nusrat Ghani challenges birth centre closure delay

Nusrat Ghani, the Member of Parliament for Sussex Weald, has strongly challenged the ongoing operational delays and private decision-making surrounding the Crowborough Birthing Centre.

Key Details of the Dispute

• The Closure: The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells (MTW) NHS Trust temporarily paused birthing services at the centre in October 2025 due to staffing shortages.
• The Delayed Reopening: Services were initially suspended until May 2026. However, a lack of communication and clear timelines from NHS bosses triggered community anxiety that the closure could become permanent.
• Private Meetings: Ms Ghani fiercely objected to the MTW NHS Trust Board holding discussions about the unit's future in private sessions, demanding greater transparency and public scrutiny. 

MP Action & Campaign Outcomes

• Secured NHS Meeting: On 30 April 2026, Ms Ghani attended the public portion of the MTW NHS Trust Board meeting. She successfully pushed Trust Chief Executive Miles Scott to guarantee a collaborative meeting. This upcoming meeting will include the Trust, the Friends of Crowborough Hospital, and local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) before any final decisions are formalised.
• Public Support: An official campaign petition launched by the MP has gathered more than 4,000 signatures from local residents.
• Maternity Review Escalation: Ms Ghani has directly appealed to the Secretary of State for Health and submitted evidence to Baroness Amos’s ongoing independent review of regional maternity services. 

The joint campaign aims to force the NHS to review local data, protect maternal choice, and ensure the prompt, safe reopening of the midwifery-led facility. [1, 2]