THE temporary suspension of birth services at a maternity service has been postponed.

Due to a cancellation of the planned essential maintenance works in the theatres at Westmorland General Hospital, the temporary suspension to birth services at Helme Chase from tomorrow (February 24) will no longer go ahead.

Birth services were due to be suspended from 5pm on Friday, February 23 2024, for a period of around four weeks, but this will no longer take place.

Birth services at the hospital will remain open as usual. The planned work will now take place from Friday 8 March.

Therefore, birth services will be suspended at Helme Chase from 5pm on Friday, March 8 2024, for an anticipated four-week period.

Community midwife appointments and the home birth service are unaffected.

A spokesperson for UHMBT said: "We apologise for the late notice in the change of dates - this was due to reasons outside of the Trust's control."