THE Health Secretary has been asked to order an urgent review into plans to downgrade maternity and paediatric services at a general hospital.

Councillor Jim Clark, chairman of North Yorkshire’s health scrutiny sommittee has sent a letter to Jeremy Hunt asking for the proposed changes at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, to be considered by the NHS Independent Reconfiguration Panel.

Coun Clark said the review was necessary to ensure that all options for the units had been properly explored.

It follows a decision by NHS managers to create midwife-led maternity and short stay paediatric assessment services in place of consultant-led units.

In the letter to Mr Hunt, Coun Clark said Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which has put forward the proposals, had proved there is a case for change.

He said his committee felt the situation at the Friarage may require a unique solution, and remained unconvinced that all efforts to find such a solution had been exhausted.

The call for an independent review follows NHS bosses warning staffing the units was becoming increasingly difficult and that they may have to close on patient safety grounds.

Coun Clark added: “As a considerable amount of time has elapsed since the changes at the Friarage Hospital were first advocated, the Committee recognises the service is becoming fragile.

“Consequently I would appreciate this request being dealt with as a matter of urgency.”

THE Health Secretary has been asked to order an urgent review into plans to downgrade maternity and paediatric services at a general hospital.

Councillor Jim Clark, chairman of North Yorkshire’s health scrutiny sommittee has sent a letter to Jeremy Hunt asking for the proposed changes at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, to be considered by the NHS Independent Reconfiguration Panel.

Coun Clark said the review was necessary to ensure that all options for the units had been properly explored.

It follows a decision by NHS managers to create midwife-led maternity and short stay paediatric assessment services in place of consultant-led units.

In the letter to Mr Hunt, Coun Clark said Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which has put forward the proposals, had proved there is a case for change.

He said his committee felt the situation at the Friarage may require a unique solution, and remained unconvinced that all efforts to find such a solution had been exhausted.

The call for an independent review follows NHS bosses warning staffing the units was becoming increasingly difficult and that they may have to close on patient safety grounds.

Coun Clark added: “As a considerable amount of time has elapsed since the changes at the Friarage Hospital were first advocated, the Committee recognises the service is becoming fragile.

“Consequently, I would appreciate this request being dealt with as a matter of urgency.”