Maternity units 'under threat'

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The data for units across England was obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

A total of 93% of NHS trusts responded to the request, put forward in March this year. They provided details of services that had closed over the last decade under Labour.

A total of 10 units have closed, while a further five units have changed from being led by consultants to being led by midwives. The Tories said this change equated to "loss of full obstetric cover".

Fifteen units were found to be under threat of closure or were planned for closure in the future. Some trusts said this was to make way for expanded maternity services at other hospitals nearby.

The Tories also listed another 11 units under threat of losing services.

The Tories said smaller units seemed to be particularly under threat, with proposals for reconfiguration and reviews of maternity services in different areas of the country.

Shadow health secretary, Andrew Lansley, said: "These figures clearly demonstrate the foolishness of Labour's plans to super-size our NHS. As has happened far too often with this Government, ideology is seen as more important than a proper analysis of the facts.

"Labour's drive for large numbers of births in ever more distant larger obstetric units will torpedo choice in childbirth and undermine quality care for normal births."

Health Minister, Ben Bradshaw, said: "Time and time again the Tories say they want the NHS to be free locally to make decisions about the kind of services they should provide. Yet time and time again, when that freedom is exercised, the Tories oppose it."