Baby unit loss would bw devastating

1. For twenty years of my working life within the health service in Bolton, I was based in the special care baby unit. I watched it develop from a unit for small babies with little problems to a mini-intensive care unit with three ventilators, a superb neo-natal staff of doctors and trained midwives and associate staff who could deal with any neo-natal emergency excluding surgical problems.

2. Four grandchildren, all from the same branch of my family were nursed in the unit. Two of them required brief assistance with breathing due to fairly minor problems but the other two were desperately ill, one a full-term baby and the other a premature girl weighing three pounds two ounces. The professionalism and care to relatives during these traumatic times were second to none.

3. As the Chairman of Health Overview and Scrutiny for Bolton, I am Bolton's representative on the Joint Committee which will make recommendations on the consultation document described in your article.

I can assure you that I shall be supporting Bolton wholeheartedly during this consultation period. The catchment area for Bolton's obstetric/neo-natal services extend well beyond the Bolton boundary. There is a considerable intake from Salford particularly the Little Hulton area and from the Wigan/Leigh areas. The loss of these services would be devastating.

I wish you luck with your campaign

Margaret E. Clare

Chairman Health Overview & Scrutiny

Bolton MB