The NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB) is proposing to close a maternity unit in North London - either at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead (the preferred option) or at the Whittington Hospital in Archway.

We are extremely concerned about what this will mean for local parents, who will have to travel further, and potentially wait longer, for crucial maternity appointments and services.

We are also concerned about the impact that the closure would have on the nurses, midwives, and doctors working in the units.

We know that having a strong foundation during pregnancy and childbirth significantly shapes life outcomes and contributes to the reduction of health disparities. Ensuring that every family in North London has access to high quality maternity services is therefore critical.

We urge the NCL ICB to think again and keep every maternity unit in North London open.

Councillor Lorna Jane Russell

Green Party, London Borough of Camden

Councillor Benali Hamdache

Green Party, London Borough of Islington

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A 14 week consultation on the potential closures will launched on Monday 11th December here: https://nclhealthandcare.org.uk/get-involved/start-well-2/

We encourage all signatories to respond to this too.