WE understand that there is a need for re-configuration of services.

However, the current proposal to close in-patient paediatrics, maternity, and the Special Care Baby Unit at Fairfield and Rochdale, and transfer services to Oldham and North Manchester, is deeply flawed.

This configuration would leave a huge gap in service provision.

The northern part of the review area is the only geographical area where two units are destined for closure, which would result in clustering of services in and around Manchester.

We ask the question: "Why close an excellent existing unit at Fairfield and build a new one in North Manchester?" The buildings at Fairfield are far superior and it would cost less to extend them than to build a new unit elsewhere.

Regarding changes to location of services according to the Making It Better document consideration should be given to the state of existing buildings.

Also to be considered again, according to the document is the future work force. Fairfield has some of the longest serving and most highly-skilled midwives in the region.

If Fairfield closes, much of this expertise would sadly be lost, as it would not be feasible for many of us to travel the further distance, but as yet the Trust are unaware of this fact as no one has asked us.

The Trust may be in for a shock! In our opinion, safety is a major issue and is one of the criteria used in the report. However, where is the evidence to suggest that the proposal to close our unit offers greater safety for patients?

Indeed, we have serious concerns that the proposed re-configuration may put lives at risk due to further distances involved and difficulties in travelling.

Some of the sickest babies currently cared for at Fairfield would, under the new scheme, be cared for in Oldham, Bolton or St Mary's, Manchester.

These are the babies who remain on the unit for weeks and weeks and would require parents to travel much further during this time.

We feel this to be an unrealistic expectation for families who are already enduring immense stress. In many cases, they may not have their own transport and indeed, if they do, the mother may not be able to drive for six weeks following a caesarean section.

Also, for the many mothers who breast-feed their sick babies, transporting the milk may prove extremely difficult. To summarise, we, the midwives at Fairfield, feel that appropriate consideration has not been given to meeting the needs of the people of Bury, Rochdale and surrounding areas.

We feel that patient choice will be reduced and the overall aim of re-configuration, which is to improve quality of service, cannot be achieved here in Bury if these proposals are allowed to go ahead.

As a group of extremely concerned midwives, we want you, the Strategic Health Authority, to consider the option of retaining in-patient paediatric provision, maternity and neo-natal services at either Fairfield or Rochdale.