Parent power came to Braintree when more than 500 mothers, fathers and supporters marched through the town centre calling for a 24-hour birth unit at William Julien Courtauld Hospital.
Maternity campaign - parents and supporters make their point outside Braintree library Picture: SEANA HUGHES
The marchers set off from Braintree town hall at 11.30am on Saturday to support calls for greater birth facilities at William Julien Courtauld (WJC) hospital in London Road, Braintree.
At present the birthing unit at the hospital is only open during the day, with midwives on call throughout the night ready to open up the premises when a mother-to-be is about to give birth out of hours.
But a growing campaign of young mums and their supporters are calling for a full 24-hour birth service at the hospital, underlined by a recent incident when Raz Mack of Silver End gave birth in WJC's car park when she could not get into the locked unit in the early hours of the morning.
Saturday's march, organised by mum Helen Mellor and Ann Fuller of Muffets shop in Market Street, Braintree, drew enormous support, not only from marchers but also crowds of wellwishers who lined the route from Market Place, Braintree, along the High Street, along London Road past the hospital to Marshall's Park.
Organiser Helen Mellor said: "It's a wonderful turnout and we hope this will put real pressure on Mid Essex Services NHS trust to instigate a 24-hour birth unit at WJC hospital.
Published Monday July 19, 2004
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