Home > News > Come along to a community drop-in session to have your say on the Birth Choices in Wakefield District

March 14, 2025

Come along to a community drop-in session to have your say on the Birth Choices in Wakefield District

People across Wakefield District are invited to join local drop-in events and online sessions to share their views on birth choices in the district as part of an ongoing NHS consultation.

The consultation focuses on the future of birthing services at Pontefract Hospital, where births have been temporarily suspended since 2019. The NHS is asking for feedback on a proposal to not reinstate the birth facility, while continuing to offer antenatal and postnatal care at the hospital.

To help people get involved, a series of events will take place across the district. These events will give people the chance to ask questions, find out more, and share their views before a final decision is made.

Drop-in events – no booking needed

Residents can attend any of the following in-person sessions:

Monday 24 March 2025, 9.00am to 10.30am
Balne Lane Community Centre, Balne Lane, Wakefield WF2 0DP

Monday 24 March 2025, 1.30pm to 2.30pm
Cluntergate Centre, Horbury, Wakefield WF4 5DA

Tuesday 25 March 2025, 1.30pm to 3pm

Stanley Family Hub, Long Causeway, Stanley, Wakefield WF3 4JB

Wednesday 26 March 2025, 10am to 11am
Pontefract Library, Shoe Market, Pontefract WF8 1BD

Thursday 27 March 2025, 9.30am to 11am
Sunbeam Family Hub, Lupset Crescent, Wakefield WF2 8RH

Friday 28 March 2025, 9.30am to 11am
Kendal Drive Family Hub, Kendal Drive, Castleford WF10 3SP

Friday 4 April 2025, 9.30am to 11am
Cedars Family Hub, Barnsley Road, Pontefract WF9 4PU

Join an online session

If you prefer, you can take part in one of these online events from home:

Tuesday 25 March, 9:30am to 10:30am

  • Meeting link
  • Meeting ID: 382 711 178 125
  • Passcode: na7FN9o4

Thursday 3 April, 1pm to 2pm

  • Meeting link
  • Meeting ID: 352 556 313 626
  • Passcode: bX7ej72r

Why is this consultation important?

Births at Pontefract Hospital were paused in 2019 due to safety concerns. The NHS is now considering whether to permanently stop births at Pontefract, while ensuring people continue to have a full range of birth choices, including home births, midwife-led units in Pinderfields and Dewsbury, and consultant-led care at Pinderfields Hospital.

Before making a final decision, the NHS wants to hear from local people about how this would affect them and whether other options should be considered.

Mel Brown, Accountable Officer for Wakefield District Health and Care Partnership, said: “Maternity services are hugely important to families in our area, and we want to provide the safest, highest-quality care. These events give people a chance to tell us what they think before any final decisions are made.”

How to have your say

If you can’t make an event, there are other ways to share your views:

The consultation is open until Sunday 18 May 2025. Everyone is encouraged to take part, especially those who have recently used maternity services or may do so in the future.

For more information, visit bit.ly/WakefieldDistrictBirthChoices

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