The local NHS has today (19 June 2025) announced a pause to births and postnatal care at St Mary’s Birth Centre in Melton Mowbray from 7 July.
Several longstanding challenges at St Mary’s Birth Centre – where less than 1% of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland’s births take place – have worsened in recent months. This includes safe staffing – around 30% of the community team are currently unavailable due to maternity leave, sickness, or planned absences.
Birth numbers at the centre are also in decline, with just 92 births taking place last year, compared to 9,331 at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital combined. More women are presenting with complex needs that require closer obstetric or neonatal support, meaning fewer are eligible to use standalone midwifery units like St Mary’s. The low number of births makes it harder for staff to maintain clinical experience and for the centre to operate safely.
Julie Hogg, Chief Nurse at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said: “Pausing births and inpatient care at St Mary’s Birth Centre is a difficult but necessary step. The decision is no reflection of the commitment and care offered by the St Mary’s team.
“We have appropriate staffing in place to keep these services running until 7 July, when the pause will come into effect.
“We recognise the disappointment and concern this may bring and are reaching out directly to the 21 people who have booked or expressed an interest in using the service in the next few weeks, to support with alternative care arrangements.”
Community antenatal and postnatal clinics in Melton Mowbray will continue uninterrupted, and access to midwifery-led care through the Trust’s home birth team and at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and the Leicester General Hospital sites will still be available.
Maternity services at both hospital sites have been strengthened and enhanced over the last 12 months, with new theatres opening at the Leicester General, and a new digital system providing real-time monitoring of new mothers.
Kay Darby, Chief Nursing Officer at Leicester, Leicestershire Rutland Integrated Care Board, said: “We are committed to commissioning safe and high-quality maternity services for people giving birth in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“We will continue to support University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust to ensure maternity services are patient-centred, safe and responsive.”
The pause will come into effect on 7 July 2025 and is expected to remain in place for up to six months as detailed work is carried out to determine next steps. Affected UHL staff will be temporarily redeployed within maternity services, with full support throughout the transition.