Have your say on plans to close consultant-led maternity services at the Horton

Residents, patients and interested parties are invited to have their say on plans to close consultant-led maternity services at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

A meeting on Wednesday, December 19, will invite views on the impact of a permanent closure of the obstetrics unit.

It is being hosted by the Horton Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - a key watchdog committee made up of county councillors, district councillors and members of the public.

Cllr Arash Fatemian, chairman of the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said all those with an interest would have an opportunity to share their views.

He said: “We want to ensure health scrutiny of consultant-led obstetric services at the Horton General Hospital is as effective as possible.

“We want to know what the impact has been of the closure of the obstetric unit and what people think would be the impact of a permanent closure.

“This was a really successful exercise last time around, hearing experiences of mothers first-hand and also a real cross-section of the community, from local politicians right through to local clergy.”

The public meeting on December 19 starts at 10am at Banbury Town Hall.

Anybody who wishes to speak and address the committee should contact Julie Dean via email at Julie.Dean@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

People are invited to specify what time they would like to speak and a timetable will be drawn up endeavouring to satisfy requests where possible.

Alternatively you can submit a written statement or send a video presentation of no more than five minutes via email to Julie Dean at the address above.

Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group moved to permanently close obstetrics in August 2017, when the JHOSC referred the decision to the Secretary of State.