Edgware Birth Centre (EBC) is set to close its birthing suites, with NHS bosses citing the lower number of babies being born at the facility.
The centre, located on Burnt Oak Broadway, opened in 1997 and in recent years has seen a sharp decline in the number of babies being born.
Since 2018, births at EBC have fallen by more than 50 per cent, with a baby now being born, on average, at a rate of less than one a week.
The decision to close the birthing unit was taken at a meeting on Tuesday, March 25, between the North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS England.
They also decided EBC will continue to provide antenatal and postnatal care.
The news comes just weeks after a Care Quality Commission report rated EBC as ‘Good’.
Inspectors found that people received safe care from well-trained staff who worked together well and were supported by capable leaders.
The consequence of the closure means that maternity services will be consolidated onto four hospital sites: Barnet Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital, University College London Hospitals, and Whittington Hospital.
The North Central London ICB and NHS England also confirmed they would be investing an additional £67million to improve maternity and neonatal services across their sites.
In an update following the decision, NHS England said: “The decision comes after a rigorous process, including a public consultation and extensive work with clinicians to develop recommendations to improve the quality of services to give babies and children the best start in life, known as the Start Well Programme.
“Detailed planning will need to be carried out before any changes are implemented. Before any changes are made, there will be further communication with families and those using these services, the public, staff, and stakeholders and ample notice given.”
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