Chipping Norton maternity unit opens again for mothers-to-be
A MATERNITY unit in West Oxfordshire that closed after staff relationships broke down will reopen today.
Births at the Cotswold Maternity Unit, in Chipping Norton, were suspended in October 2012.
A review found a “culture of bullying” and a rift between the “old guard” who worked “the Chipping Norton Way” and those trying to meet NHS guidelines.
The March review said management failed to address the problems and set out 31 recommendations.
The number of births at the unit plunged after it opened in 2011 to just 32 between April and September 2012.
The report said births would need to rise to 150 to 200 per year to maintain the unit’s viability.
Oxfordshire County Council member for Chipping Norton Hilary Biles said: “I am delighted the unit is reopening.”
But Mrs Biles, also cabinet member for public health and the voluntary sector, said she was “disappointed there has not been a marketing campaign, given there needs to be a certain number of births to keep the unit open.”
She added: “I sincerely hope the unit will be open 24 hours a day for mothers giving birth.”
The unit was opened by Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron in 2011. It has two birthing rooms with a pool, an en-suite shower room and a lounge for families and visitors. Contact the unit on 01608 648222 or chippingnortonmidwives@ouh.nhs.uk Oxford Mail.
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Chipping Norton residents have been given a chance to comment on proposals
for an 80-unit extra care housing scheme on London Road.
Carillion Capita Symonds carried out the consultation exercise on behalf of
Oxfordshire County Council with a display at Chipping Norton Town Hall.
If the scheme is approved 16 residential units would be built alongside the extra care housing.
The plans would mark the third phase of development on the London Road site alongside the new hospital building and the proposed relocation of two the town’s GP surgeries to a new purpose-built centre.
The comments received are to be reviewed and considered as part of the planning process before a planning application is submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council later in the summer.
Residents can also send comments to comments. rockhill@gmail.com.
Chipping Norton Town Council also considered a second planning application
for homes on the site of the old War Memorial Hospital on Spring Street at a
meeting on Monday evening.
The first application was tabled earlier this year but councillors raised questions about potential problems with parking and the height of the buildings, which it was felt would impact on residents.
Town mayor Cllr Mike Tysoe said councillors are broadly in support of the revised application but still want to see some modifications.
“This is somewhat of an improvement but there are three units we want to be removed or reduced in height,” he said.
“There are a lot of little houses on Spring Street and we are concerned that they will be overpowered.
“The feeling on the council was that we quite liked it but it has got to come down, whether WODC will do what we want them to do is another matter.
The plans were submitted to WODC by London-based firm St Charles Homes in March and would see 14 homes constructed on the site around the central historic hospital building, which would also be converted to dwellings. Banbury Guardian.
Ed: Good news about the maternity unit, again people will be able to call themselves Chippy-born-an-bred within the sound of Chippy church! ......With more care units on the same site it might be a case of from the cradle to the grave in a few short steps....... Sorry I couldn't help that!
With only 14 homes being built on the old War Memorial Hospital site I think the development does not fall within the statuary requirement to include any affordable homes - unless you can afford £400 grand that is.
If the scheme is approved 16 residential units would be built alongside the extra care housing.
The plans would mark the third phase of development on the London Road site alongside the new hospital building and the proposed relocation of two the town’s GP surgeries to a new purpose-built centre.
The comments received are to be reviewed and considered as part of the planning process before a planning application is submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council later in the summer.
Residents can also send comments to comments. rockhill@gmail.com.
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The first application was tabled earlier this year but councillors raised questions about potential problems with parking and the height of the buildings, which it was felt would impact on residents.
Town mayor Cllr Mike Tysoe said councillors are broadly in support of the revised application but still want to see some modifications.
“This is somewhat of an improvement but there are three units we want to be removed or reduced in height,” he said.
“There are a lot of little houses on Spring Street and we are concerned that they will be overpowered.
“The feeling on the council was that we quite liked it but it has got to come down, whether WODC will do what we want them to do is another matter.
The plans were submitted to WODC by London-based firm St Charles Homes in March and would see 14 homes constructed on the site around the central historic hospital building, which would also be converted to dwellings. Banbury Guardian.
Ed: Good news about the maternity unit, again people will be able to call themselves Chippy-born-an-bred within the sound of Chippy church! ......With more care units on the same site it might be a case of from the cradle to the grave in a few short steps....... Sorry I couldn't help that!
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With only 14 homes being built on the old War Memorial Hospital site I think the development does not fall within the statuary requirement to include any affordable homes - unless you can afford £400 grand that is.