BUNGLING health chiefs are to close three Hampshire birthing centres - five months before their replacement is ready to open, the Daily Echo can reveal today.
Maternity units in Romsey, Hythe and Lymington will be shut next month even though a new facility in Ashurst will not be able to receive mums-to-be until May at the earliest.
It is now likely women across the New Forest and Romsey will have to travel to Southampton, Bourne-mouth or Poole to give birth.
Campaigners, pictured protesting at Lymington last month, today described the decision as "irresponsible".
The mums' fight to save the centres was dealt another blow yesterday when the government dismissed a plea to keep them open.
Health Minister Ivan Lewis refused to intervene in the row when he received a 1,600 name petition calling for the centres to be given a reprieve from Romsey MP Sandra Gildey.
More on this story in today's Daily Echo
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