North Bristol NHS Trust Chief Nursing Officer, Professor Steve Hams, said: “Providing safe care for all women, birthing people and babies across our services is our priority. While we have made progress in recruitment, maternity workforce challenges remain across the NHS and regretfully we are not yet in a position to reopen the Cossham Birth Centre for births. Work remains ongoing and we will update further as soon as possible.
“We are sorry for any disappointment this may cause and would like to reassure families that our Home Birth service continues to be available on a case-by case-basis and the Mendip Birth Centre at Southmead Hospital remains an option as an alternative midwife-led setting for women and birthing people. Community appointments, breastfeeding support and other antenatal and postnatal services continue to be available from Cossham.
“We recognise the valuable contribution of Cossham Hospital in providing services for the local population and are continuing to review how we can further develop services on the site for the local community.”