Health · 1 hour ago

Up to 20 Maternity Units in England May Have to Shut

Up to 20 of England's 155 consultant-led maternity units may need to shut or change role, NHS Alliance acute care director Matthew Hopkins warns. He says centralising childbirth into fewer hospitals is inevitable and the safe choice, because of a shortage of obstetricians and rising caesarean rates. Smaller units delivering 1,500 to 2,000 babies a year are becoming unsustainable. He urged ministers to show courage.

By BriefTea Editorial · 19 October 2026 at 7:34

Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs

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