NHS sets out proposals for the future of St Mary’s Birth Centre

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. 

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.

Over the next few weeks the ICB team will be looking to hear from people 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 in service
• Family members or carers of these individuals
• NHS colleagues who worked at St Mary’s Birth Centre before the pause in service
• NHS colleagues and students working in the maternity services at LLR

These insights will help us understand the impact and shape how we move forward. Working with partners and the Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) the ICB will be contacting people directly to attend the focus groups over the coming weeks.

Toby Sanders, the Chief Executive of LLR ICB said: “We know how important this issue is for local families and NHS colleagues. Before we confirm how we will enact the consultation outcome made in 2021, we want to hear from those most affected by the pause at St Mary’s. Your feedback will help us make sure the next steps are fair, transparent, and shaped by local voices.”

Julie Hogg, Chief Nurse at UHL added: “Pausing births and inpatient postnatal care at St Mary’s Birth Centre in July was a difficult but necessary step to ensure the safety of women and babies, after longstanding challenges with staffing and birth numbers worsened.

“These services will remain paused until the ICB’s decision-making process has concluded. Community-based antenatal and postnatal clinics in Melton Mowbray continue without interruption, and midwifery-led care remains available through the home birth team, as well as at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital.

“We remain committed to working with the ICB to ensure maternity services are safe, sustainable and equitable.”

If you have any questions about the focus groups, please email: llricb-llr.beinvolved@nhs.net