Integrated Care Board want to understand impact of St. Mary's Birth Centre pause before making decision on its future

A decision on the future of St Mary’s Birth Centre in Melton will not be made until early 2026, after health commissioners announced a new review into the impact of the ongoing pause in births.

Births and postnatal inpatient services at the centre were paused in July last year after University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) raised safety concerns linked to staffing pressures and low birth numbers. It' s been confirmed that the pause remains in place while work continues to determine next steps for the service.

At the time, it was expected that a decision could be reached within six months. However, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB), which commissions maternity services, has now confirmed it will first carry out a detailed assessment of how the pause has affected families and staff.

In late August, the Save Our St Mary’s group staged a high-profile march through Melton Mowbray town centre to oppose the pause and what many local residents saw as a potential permanent loss of maternity services at St Mary’s Birth Centre.

Hundreds of campaigners, including families, former patients and community supporters, marched from Nottingham Street to the town park, carrying placards and chanting in support of keeping the centre open. The event, which culminated in a family-friendly gathering with music and activities, drew backing from local figures including Syston & Melton MP Edward Argar and highlighted deep community concern about the impact of reduced birth services on rural families and choice in maternity care.

The protest through Melton town centre back in August 2025 with Edward Argar MP pictured far right. Photo: NEMM

Organisers at the time said the protest was intended to show the strength of feeling locally and urge UHL and the ICB to reconsider their plans in favour of safeguarding the facility for future generations.

The assessment will begin in January and will look at the experiences of women and birthing people who had planned to use St Mary’s, their families, and staff who worked at the centre prior to the pause.

The ICB said this would allow sufficient time to understand the wider impact on maternity services across the area before any recommendations are made.

St. Mary's Birth Centre in Melton which is currently closed. Photo: University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

The findings will inform a recommendation to the ICB Board in early 2026, extending the timeline beyond the original six-month pause period.

A spokesperson from the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board said: "Once this work is complete, a recommendation about St Mary’s will go to the ICB Board in early 2026. We appreciate that this timeline extends slightly beyond the initial six-month pause window, and we are very sorry this means there will be a delay. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we take this important step."

Despite the pause at St Mary’s, all other maternity services continue to operate as normal. These include antenatal care and scans, births at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital, home birth services, and postnatal community care.

As part of the review, the ICB is seeking feedback from people who were planning or considering giving birth at St Mary’s between July 2025 and September 2026 but were unable to do so due to the pause. Family members or carers, as well as staff who previously worked at the birth centre, are also being invited to share their experiences.

Working alongside local partners and the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership, the ICB will be contacting people directly to take part in focus groups over the coming weeks.

Anyone with questions or who would like more information about the engagement process can contact the ICB by email at llricb-llr.beinvolved@nhs.net.