Birthing services at midwife-led units

The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) has published the Report of Findings following the public consultation on midwife-led birthing services at County Hospital, Stafford, and Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, Lichfield. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the consultation, including members of the public, stakeholders and partner organisations.

The consultation considered a proposal to make permanent the temporary closure of the freestanding midwife-led birthing units introduced in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The formal public consultation took place between 12 May 2025 and 3 August 2025, during which more than 1,400 responses were received from members of the public, stakeholders and partner organisations.

While birthing services have remained closed, antenatal and postnatal care has continued at both sites. Since the pandemic, Glucose Tolerance Testing (GTT) and Anti-D services have not been provided at Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, with these services delivered from alternative locations. Additional targeted engagement was undertaken throughout February 2026 to better understand the impact of these arrangements and identify any potential mitigations.

The Report of Findings summarises the feedback received through both the public consultation and further engagement activity. It will support development of a Decision-Making Business Case, which will progress through the ICB’s governance process, with the aim of being considered by the ICB Board in early autumn.

No decision has yet been made regarding the future of midwife-led birthing services at either site. All feedback and evidence gathered through the consultation and engagement process will be fully considered before any final decision is taken.

For more information on the consultation please visit our ICS website.

What are glucose tolerance tests (GTTs) and anti-D injections?

GTT is a blood test used to diagnose gestational diabetes, which can occur during pregnancy. Anti-D immunoglobin is given to women whose blood type is RhD negative to prevent an immune response when the baby’s blood type is RhD positive.