Norfolk: Maternity Ward Shuts 24 Times In Two Years

23 April 2013, 06:00

A maternity ward in Norfolk has turned 53 women in labour away in the last two years.

Heart can exclusively reveal that the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital closed dozens more times than any of the regions other hospitals.

In a Freedom of Information Request Heart asked all of our hospitals how many times they had to close their maternity wards because they were full.

Over the last two years the Ipswich, James Paget and West Suffolk Hospitals didn't close at all.

But the Norfolk and Norwich shut 24 times. They've told Heart they are a very busy unit who deal with complex cases and have unpredictable peaks in the number of people who need their services.  But, they said they do have enough staff and will expand the ward to meet demand in the future if they continue to get busier.

Emma Mckay is Director of Nursing at the Norfolk and Norwich and spoke to Heart reporter Hannah Griffiths:

Maternity Closures - Emma McKay - Director Of Nursing