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Midwives concerned over possible baby unit closures

NWUHG said 60 clinicians had helped develop the review.

The Case for Change argues that falling birth rates, workforce shortages and increasing numbers of women requiring more complex care are making it harder to sustain specialist services at every site.

Lesley Dwyer, NWUHG chief executive and a former midwife, previously told the BBC the review was one of the most significant pieces of work undertaken by the organisation and was aimed at making services sustainable in the long term.

"The scenarios examined so far are a starting point for further assessment, not formal proposals," she said.

"No preferred approach has been identified and no decision has been made to close or relocate these services.

"Patient safety must remain at the centre of this work. We also need to understand what different approaches could mean for choice, travel, access and the experiences of women, babies, children and families."

The work comes after NHS bosses said that smaller maternity units across the country may have to close.

The Case for Change will now be submitted to NHS England before further research and any public consultation takes place.

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