THE hospitals trust which covers the Maldon district area ran out of maternity beds yesterday afternoon (Friday, 4 June), it has emerged.

The issue came to light when a woman from Thurrock, who recently fought a battle against cancer, began to suffer labour pains 48 hours before she was scheduled to deliver her baby.

Unfortunately, calls to Basildon Hospital, where the baby was due to be delivered, produced the shocking news that it had no available beds in the maternity unit. Nor were there any others available within the Mid and South Essex NHS trust, nor in neighbouring hospitals including Darent Valley across the Thames in north Kent.

Her angry dad, who himself is an NHS worker and was at work when the drama began, tells the story.

He told Nub News: "My daughter was due to give birth on Monday. She is a recovering patient who was treated a couple of years ago for lymphoma.

"The treatment could have implications during the pregnancy.

"Basildon Hospital is fully aware of her condition and history and when she started having pains she contacted the hospital but was told there were no beds to accept her. Nor were any beds available at Darent Valley, which is the next nearest hospital.

"She was told the nearest hospital was Colchester. My other daughter, who has only just passed her test, had to drive her to Colchester as we were told there wasn't even an ambulance available.

"I am so angry. My daughter, with a previously diagnosed medical condition, who should be on a significant watch list, has to travel by private car on the length of the A12, which we all know is not an easy road, on a Friday afternoon! What would have happened had she gone into labour en-

route?"

"The authorities are playing fast and loose with our lives - and the lives of our children. Shame on them - and the system which puts ordinary people at the bottom of the heap when it comes to supporting them."

Fortunately, the dash to Colchester was completed without incident and on arrival it was decided to admit the mum to be to the maternity ward.

A spokesperson for the the Mid and South Essex Trust confirmed that during yesterday afternoon, it had no beds available, adding: "There would not have been a problem this evening, but at the time there were no beds available so the advice was to go to Colchester.

"It was not deemed a medical emergency so an ambulance was not offered," said the spokesperson. He added that the Trust is preparing a formal statement in relation to the incident.

The angry grandad-to-be told Nub News: "It is simply unacceptable that there wasn't a hospital bed available for my daughter within 50 miles. I don't blame the maternity wards, it's not their fault, but the people running our NHS have forgotten what its purpose is.

"My daughter is an 'at risk' patient and it cannot be right that she had to travel by car, with a new and nervous driver, on a road that is frequently subject to delays and jams."

UPDATE: The woman has subsequently given birth to a baby girl and both are doing well.