A petition to keep maternity beds at Paulton Hospital is gathering pace, with a target of around 5,000 signatures.

At the time of going to press, over 3,000 had already been received from local people determined to stop the CCG proposals being taken further.

TV crews from both the BBC and ITV, and local celebrity, Martin Roberts, turned up to a protest in Paulton High Street last Saturday morning, organised by Grant Johnson, who was born at the hospital, to collect more signatures and raise awareness of the proposals.

In its latest round of public consultations on local services, B&NES’ Clinical Commissioning Group is seeking the views of residents on whether or not the five postnatal beds at Paulton should go. A few years ago, the League of Friends fought and successfully overturned a decision to close the maternity ward of the hospital, arguing that any loss in services there could be the beginning of the end for this valued community resource.

The CCG says that the beds at Paulton are empty 95% of the time and that resources are better placed by investing in the RUH. Out of the four Freestanding Midwifery Units across the area, Chippenham and Frome will stay open, but Paulton and Trowbridge would no longer provide beds. Two new midwifery units would be created: one at the RUH, one at Salisbury District Hospital.

The proposals say this would also allow for the improvement of antenatal and postnatal services for women in their own homes, and to support them to give birth at home, should they choose. They argue that the investment will mean local women will have more choice about where and how they give birth.

Grant Johnson, who organised the protest last Saturday, told The Journal: “The event went tremendously well, and we got the message across to the CCG that there is a great deal of unhappiness in the community about these proposals.

“Our community cares about its facilities. In my opinion, this is the first step in what will be an attempt to get rid of the hospital. Protecting services in our rural areas is what matters most.”

Gillian Johnson added: “I gave birth to all four of my children at Paulton Hospital. I went into labour during the night with one of them and he was born ten minutes after I arrived. I never would have made it to Bath.

“My main concern is the potential loss of local services. Getting to the RUH on a good day takes at least half an hour.

“Mums should have a choice. At Paulton, I knew the nurses and the midwife. My own doctor delivered one of my babies. You don’t feel like a number there. If you had your baby at the RUH, you would later be sent to Paulton, where there was plenty of support to help you look after your new baby – and it was second to none.

“I feel passionately about this, as not everyone has family around them. That situation isn’t the best start for a mum or their baby – the support Paulton gives is invaluable to help increase confidence in this new phase in someone’s life.

“I think this decision is all about money and it is wrong. It is always rural services that go first. And if maternity goes, what next?”

Paulton’s Ward Councillors, Liz Hardman and John Bull, told The Journal: “As B&NES Councillors, we fully back the campaign by local organiser, Grant Johnson.

“Paulton Maternity Unit has served its local community for decades, providing a birthing and aftercare service second to none. The proposal to close this unit, thereby making the RUH or a home birth the only options for would-be mothers, are not acceptable. The huge support shown by over 3,000 signatures on the online petition and over 100 on paper, clearly demonstrate how important services like these are to communities outside of Bath. The proposal to cut Paulton’s Maternity Unit is based on incorrect figures, as they are for the whole area of B&NES, West Wiltshire and Swindon, and not just Paulton. Is this the thin edge of the wedge and could Paulton Hospital itself be under threat?

“We would encourage readers to attend a public meeting run by the Transforming Maternity Services team on Saturday, 12th January at the Methodist Hall, Paulton, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.”

Local mum, Jennifer Wareham, who has used Paulton Hospital’s maternity service, was at the protest on Saturday. She said: “Paulton Birthing Centre is a valuable asset to our community, and to withdraw it as an option for expectant mothers lacks foresight.

“At Paulton, the midwives know you right from your first ante-natal appointment; you are more than just a patient number.

“From my experience, larger units, due to their busy nature, lack the opportunity to give new mothers vital post-natal care. With an increased awareness of post-natal mental health and a drive to encourage more mothers to breastfeed, one-to-one time with a midwife is invaluable.

“Whilst I understand some women may choose to deliver at the RUH, others still want to deliver at PBU. Is it fair that their options may now be limited?”

A spokesperson for B&NES CCG told The Journal: “We are committed to engaging with everyone about this proposal, with a series of meetings and rop-ins happening across B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire until 24th February when the consultation closes. You can find out more about the proposal, our event programme, and share your feedback at: www.transformingmaternity.org.uk

“No decisions will be taken about future services until after the public consultation has been completed, and we have considered all the responses and meeting feedback that we have received.

“Whatever the outcome of the consultation, our intention is to maintain and provide, where possible, more health and care services in local hubs that are convenient for people living in our more rural areas.

“The Paulton Hospital site is a valuable community asset and if space were to become available, we would work with our health and care partners including local voluntary sector organisations and community groups to look at how the space could be used to benefit local people.”