Closure of Level 6 ward (Silver Star Ward) and Maternity Ward Changes at the John Radcliffe Hospital

The Trust in their statement of 5th July 2010 makes no mention of a reopening date for the Silver Star Ward on level 6 after the summer.  After the concern and confusion caused by their failure to do so last year, we would have thought that giving a reopening date this year would be a 'must' if they wanted to avoid alarming and upsetting users and supporters of this highly prized and much needed service.

The Society has seen documents, which state the aim of permanent closure of Level 6 and integration into
Level 5.  This has been done WITHOUT PROPER CONSULTATION with the consultants and staff who are responsible in a very real way for the life and health of the mothers and babies in their care.  In fact there has been almost no preparation for something, which is a major relocation of very vulnerable women.

We have evidence that the summer closure last year was disastrous in many ways.  According to one report from a senior level it led to 'chaos….a loss of an organised way of offering care'. 'It became custom and practice to defer work (including inductions of labour) from one shift to another. The Caesarean section rate increased immediately… we were forced to turn away women referred for Level 3 Neonatal Care because there was nowhere to put these women. The Midwifery Led Unit was closed for most of the time because of redeployment of the staff'. We also received the following letter from one of our members which illustrates from the patient's end what the service last summer was like:

'My friends baby died of mecconium in the JR whilst level 6 was closed last summer and although she wasn't a Silver Star patient we all feel if there had been more beds, more midwifes and a calmer atmoshpere things could of been very different. She was in and out a few times with high bp(blood pressure) and various other things in the 2 weeks before she went into labour but they were so pushed for space and they just kept sending her home. Unforgivable. the doctor on duty admitted they should of done things differently.' This is the bottom line of  a chaotic, unplanned closure.  Lives will be lost. And babies have as much right to life as anyone else. A dead baby cannot be replaced as the many of us Silver Star parents know only too well.

Not surprisingly after the disaster of 2009 the consultants are not happy with a repeat of the process, especially one in which they have had no input or say.  Their primary concern as is ours, is SAFETY for mothers and babies. Gill Walton, Head of Midwifery states on behalf of the Trust:  'I want to reassure women using both our Silver Star Service … and all other mothers hoping to deliver over the summer, that their safe care is our top priority and will not be compromised'.  After the experience of last year the consultants and their medical teams responsible for delivering this care DO NOT AGREE and feel that women would be right to be alarmed, especially since staffing levels both for midwives and consultants are lower than at this period last year, making it even more difficult to meet women's needs.

The Silver Star Society is committed to continue its campaign to 'SAVE THE SILVER STAR WARD' as a functioning integral unit as it has developed over the last 40 years until the following conditions are met:

1. That a reopening date for the Level 6 Silver Star beds and reintegration of the unit is given.

2. That a guarantee is given at Board Level, that any future changes in the integrity and configuration of the Silver Star Unit will be properly and full planned and negotiated in advance with the consultants and teams who care for the inpatients and are responsible for them.

3. A guarantee from Board Level that the Silver Star unit will continue to operate in the long term as a integrated unit with its inpatients cared for on the same level as the teams and equipment developed to service them on Level 6.

The Silver Star Society  5th July 2010