NHS decision to close St Mary’s Birth Centre

The decision follows analysis of safety, staffing, activity and equality considerations, and engagement with women, families, midwives and students affected by the temporary pause introduced in July 2025. 

Antenatal and postnatal clinics, home visiting and infant-feeding support in Melton will continue. Families will still be able to choose between midwife-led units at Leicester General Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary, consultant-led care, or the Home Birth Team. 

St Mary’s provided services to women from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland but has seen low birth numbers for several years, averaging one to two per week. National guidance is clear that standalone midwife-led units require consistent activity to maintain clinical skills and operate safely. Falling activity, alongside staffing pressures and high levels of temporary cover, meant the service could no longer be safely sustained. 

More than 200 people took part in engagement activities, sharing feedback about the calm environment at St Mary’s, the high-quality postnatal and feeding support, concerns about travel, and the emotional impact of the pause. This insight has been shared with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) to support ongoing maternity improvements. 

The ICB and UHL will now work together on a managed transition, including support for staff and clear communication with families.