The campaign to restore around-the-clock maternity facilities at a mid-Essex hospital has reached Parliament.
Braintree MP Alan Hurst used a House of Commons adjournment debate, where MPs can bring up any subject they want, to raise awareness of the situation at William Julien Courtauld Hospital in London Road.
Currently, the hospital's birthing unit is only open during the day, with midwives on call to open up the premises when a baby is expected to arrive out of hours.
A campaign in the area calling for a full 24-hour service to be restored is gathering strength.
Last weekend, Mr Hurst joined more than 500 of his constituents in a march through Braintree to support the campaign.
The Labour MP told the House: "The hospital reopened on a most peculiar basis. It would be almost impossible to make this story up."
Mr Hurst called on Health Secretary John Reid to intervene in the case.
He added: "I hope that my right honourable friend will be able to persuade the care Trust not to be quite so insulting to the mothers and children of Braintree.
"The number of babies born in the hospital rose to 22 at the end of last month. That is within the target of the health Trust for the number of babies to justify a 24-hour service."
Published Tuesday July 27, 2004
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