We need your support to Save Corbar Birth Centre

PRESS RELEASE

June 26^th, 2011

We need your support urges Corbar campaign group

The campaign group opposed to the proposed closure of Corbar Birth Centre in Buxton is calling upon people in the High Peak to sign their petition.

Save Corbar Birth Centre (SCBC), which is backed by the National Childbirth Trust and High Peak MP Andrew Bingham, is urging local residents, businesses and public service providers to put their name against the closure of the High Peak’s only birth centre.

Signatures to the petition urge Mark Todd as Chairman and David Sharp as Chief Executive of NHS Derbyshire County to retain and promote the Corbar Birth Centre in Buxton as it is a vital facility for families in the High Peak especially given the challenges presented to the area through rurality, climate and road links.

Fiona Lichfield, spokesperson for SCBC, said it was imperative that people living in the High Peak demonstrate their dismay and opposition at Derbyshire PCT’s plan to close Corbar.

“If we want women in the High Peak to have the choice of delivering their babies at a local midwifery-led unit in the county, then we need to make sure our voices are heard.”

Following NHS Derbyshire County and NHS Derby City’s announcement in late May (2011) to review Corbar Birth Centre operations, a pre-engagement process was declared. SCBC’s petition will be presented to Derbyshire PRC in August, when the formal engagement period will take run until October 23^rd. A final decision about Corbar’s future is due in November.

The petition is available to sign at various shops and office across the High Peak yet SCBC would like to see more individuals and organisations come forward to help collect signatures.

Fiona added: “Since our campaign began our Facebook group has grown by the hundreds, and our Action Day earlier this month saw more than 1,700 pledges yet the battle to save Corbar has only just begun.

“We now need local residents and businesses to help us spread the word and collect signatures. Ultimately our aim is to have the petition available to sign in post offices, leisure centres as well as in offices and shops across the High Peak so that everyone has the opportunity to pledge their support.”

Copies of the SCBC petition are available for individuals, businesses as well as community groups by emailing savecorbarbirthcentre@yahoo.co.uk. Alternatively requests for petitions can be made by telephoning Fiona Lichfield on 07795 431 627

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Notes to editors

Copies of the petition to save Corbar Birth Centre are currently available to sign at:

Little Rascals in Buxton

Hairs and Grace in Buxton

Sidebothams Jewellers in Buxton

Nought to Five in Buxton

The Wild Carrot in Buxton