Understanding the impact of the pause in services at St Mary's Birth Centre

This engagement has now closed.

Between 6 January and 15 February 2026, we ran an engagement to understand how people have been impacted by the pause in service at St Mary’s Birth Centre, Melton, since July 2025.

We wanted to hear from:

Those who were planning or considering giving birth at St Mary’s Birth Centre between July 2025 and September 2026 but were (or are) unable to do so because of the pause
Family members or carers of these individuals
Those who used St Mary’s between January 2021 and July 2025
Family members or carers of these individuals
Staff who worked at St Mary’s Birth Centre before the pause in service
Staff and students working in the maternity services at LLR

On this page, we have set out proposals for the future of St Mary’s Birth Centre. You can also read the full stakeholder briefing.

Background

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) are setting out proposals for the future of St Mary’s Birth Centre following the temporary pause in July. The pause was introduced after birth numbers fell to fewer than two a week and staffing the service safely became increasingly difficult.

In 2021, following the Building Better Hospitals for the Future public consultation, it was agreed that births at St Mary’s should move to a new standalone midwifery-led unit at Leicester General Hospital as part of the national New Hospitals Programme. That decision still stands but national changes to the New Hospitals Programme have delayed the construction of the new maternity hospital planned for the Leicester Royal Infirmary. As a result, maternity services have not moved from the Leicester General Hospital (LGH) to the Leicester Royal Infirmary as originally intended.

Current position

There is no capital funding currently available for a new standalone midwifery-led unit, and national policy emphasises evidence-based, resource-efficient models of care. At the same time, birth numbers at St Mary’s Birth Centre have dropped further and staffing challenges continue. As a result, the plan is to enact the outcome of the 2021 consultation as far as possible. This means relocating births to the existing midwifery-led unit at Leicester General Hospital, while maintaining other community services in Melton, including antenatal and postnatal clinics, home visits, and infant feeding support.

Before we move forward, to understand what the pause at St Mary’s Birth Centre has meant for women, their families and colleagues who were directly affected. These experiences will make sure the next steps are clear, fair, and informed by those most impacted.

We are sorry the work is extending beyond the originally indicated six months pause but we hope you appreciate the importance of ensuring all perspectives are considered before arriving at a final long-term decision.

What happens next?

Between 6 January and 15 February 2026, the ICB team engaged with those affected by the pause.

The insights gathered will help us understand the impact and shape how we move forward.

Feedback was independently analysed and evaluated, and a Report of Findings produced. The information has been used to inform the recommendation which will go to the LLR Integrated Care Board on Thursday 19 March 2026.

Find out more about the Board meeting.

Have your say

We wanted to hear from:

Those who were planning or considering giving birth at St Mary’s Birth Centre between July 2025 and September 2026 but were (or are) unable to do so because of the pause
Family members or carers of these individuals
Those who used St Mary’s between January 2021 and July 2025
Family members or carers of these individuals
Staff who worked at St Mary’s Birth Centre prior to the pause in services
Staff and students working in the maternity services at LLR

The purpose of this engagement was to hear from people who are directly impacted by the pause in service. The Building Better Hospitals public consultation in 2021 provided the wider public with the opportunity to comment on changes to St Mary’s Birth Centre, therefore, we are not currently seeking further views from the wider public.

Questionnaire

If you met the above criteria, you were invited to complete a questionnaire, which took around 5 to 10 minutes. All responses are anonymous. As well as an online version, there was a paper copy available, plus people could contact us to request alternative formats.

Focus (discussion) groups

We conducted some focus groups with those who had used St Mary’s in the last five years, planned or considered giving birth and/or receiving postnatal care at St Mary’s before being notified of the pause in services, and staff who worked at St Mary’s prior to the pause.

Contact details

If you have any questions, please contact us using the details below:

Email llricb-llr.beinvolved@nhs.net
Call 0116 295 7532
Write to: Freepost Plus RUEE–ZAUY–BXEG, SMBC Engagement, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, Room G30, Pen Lloyd Building, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester Road, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8TB