BABIES and vulnerable mothers could be put at risk if “efficiency” plans at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital go ahead, it was claimed last night.
Fears have been raised about the future of the JR’s Silver Star Unit, which provides specialist care for high-risk pregnant women, after a shake-up of the maternity unit was announced.
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust this week confirmed it was closing a level at the maternity unit, but denied the Silver Star Unit was under threat.
The trust plans to close Level 6 of the maternity unit and merge two levels, meaning the loss of 25 beds.
The trust is currently seeking to make savings of £44m, with 370 jobs to go next year.
Nuala Webb, a former treasurer of the Silver Star Unit Society, said: “The loss of these beds is almost certainly going to cost the lives of babies and put the mothers’ health in danger.”
Trust spokesman Helen Pegg said: “We have been trying by every means possible to reassure our patients the Silver Star service is not changing in a way that will affect patients. Our intention is to move the service back to Level 6 in the autumn.”
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