FAIRFIELD General Hospital's maternity unit WILL be axed as part of a review of services in Greater Manchester, it was revealed today.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson endorsed plans to close the department, including the special care baby unit, despite a two-year battle by local campaigners.

The Independent Reconfiguration Panel, who reviewed the plans, suggested that local healthcare providers should consider setting up a midwife-led unit at Fairfield.

This would allow mothers expecting a healthy labour to give birth in Bury, and, if there were any unexpected complications, be transferred to other hospitals.

Ante-natal and post-natal services will still be available at the Rochdale Old Road site.

Consultant-led maternity care will instead be provided at eight hospitals in the area, with three of those - Royal Bolton Hospital, Royal Oldham Hospital, and St Mary's in Manchester - becoming "centres of excellence" to provide intensive care.

Fairfield will keep its accident and emergency department, but emergency surgery will be axed and instead concentrated at the North Manchester General and the Royal Oldham.

Planned medicine, planned surgery, rehabilitation, day-case surgery, and outpatient clinics will still be provided in Bury.

Councillor Vic D'Albert, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson for Bury South, said: "This is a devastating blow for the people of Bury who have fought so hard against this. I believe campaigners have done everything possible to save these services. It is an absolute disgrace that the people of Bury have been ignored."

For in-depth analysis and reaction to all the changes at Fairfield General Hospital, see next week's Bury Times.

Let us know what you think about the plans...what are your views on the closure of Bury's maternity unit?