In response to the latest update from East Cheshire NHS Trust that the planned reopening of the temporarily closed Macclesfield Maternity Unit is on track for summer 2023, I have issued the following statement:
“Local families regularly ask me when the Macclesfield Maternity Unit will reopen after its temporary closure at the start of the pandemic. Like me, they want to see these much-valued services reopened as a priority and to be able to see children born closer to home in Macclesfield once again.
“While it is disappointing that local health service leaders have had to delay the target reopening date from April, I am pleased that the East Cheshire NHS Trust remains committed to this important task and that the reopening is on track to take place by summer 2023.
“This month, it will have been three years since our maternity unit was temporarily closed due to the pandemic’s impacts. Other maternity units in England were also closed as a temporary measure at the time. However, Macclesfield’s maternity unit is one of a very few that remain currently closed. That’s why we must not allow this important moment in time to now pass without our maternity unit being reopened.
“Over the last year, I have had regular meetings with Mr Ged Murphy, Chief Executive of East Cheshire NHS Trust, to review plans and progress on key actions. I have also recently met Mr Graham Urwin, Chief Executive of Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care Board, again and have raised this matter with Ministers at the Department for Health and Social Care in the House of Commons.
“In our meetings, health service leaders have reconfirmed their commitment to seeing the maternity unit reopen. They also explained that the local maternity team have met to review the latest plans.
“We are close to seeing these vital services being reopened. It is vital that every effort is now made by health service leaders and our local partners to ensure that this plan is fully realised. After such an extended period of temporary closure, it’s what local families expect and deserve.”