LEADING NHS managers have refused to set a deadline for the reopening of a popular maternity hospital.

Bill Murray, chief executive of South Tees NHS Trust, made it clear that no date can be set for the reopening of Guisborough Maternity Unit in a statement.

The chief executive was responding to a council investigation into the temporary closure of the unit last November, which was greeted with a storm of protest.

Mr Murray said: "We understand Redcar and Cleveland Council's desire to have the maternity ward reopened as soon as possible and again we can only reiterate that is our own intention.

"The trust has been working extremely hard to recruit midwives and has been successful in filling seven posts.

"However, it would be wrong to try and predict a reopening date.

"When it will reopen is heavily based on the trust's success in recruiting and retaining midwives, which is a national problem."

Mr Murray also addressed other points made by the council investigation committee. The chief executive first took on the council's view that pregnant women and new mothers felt there was a lack of personal attention at the The James Cook University Hospital maternity unit.

Many new mothers had said that the personal touch was sacrificed for the sake of new technology.

Mr Murray said: "Again I can only stress we have never seen high-tech care as exclusive to providing tender loving care.

"The fact so many low-risk mothers choose to have their babies at The James Cook University Hospital and, when asked, are satisfied with the care and service they receive speaks for itself."

The council had also said the NHS Trust should analyse transport problems for pregnant women in rural east Cleveland.

Mr Murray said: "We are already working with the local councils on transport issues."