Richmond women may have to have their babies outside the area following the announcement of a further cut in midwifery services.

Health watchdog Richmond and Twickenham Community Health Council (CHC) has reacted with alarm to the news that five jobs will be axed at West Middelesex Hospital in October.

Chief officer Roz Borley said: "This cut is doubly alarming because it comes on top of a temporary cut of seven maternity beds at Kingston Hospital, due to shortage of staff, which was announced at the beginning of August.

"The cut at West Middlesex will mean a reduction in the quality of services there and the combined effect may also mean that more women will have to be transferred out of the area to have their babies."

She asked health authorities and NHS Trusts to tell the CHC what is being done to plan for the future of maternity services in Richmond.

"Kingston Hospital hopes to restore its closed beds in October but is now reviewing demand for maternity beds on a daily basis and will sometimes seek assistance from other hospitals."

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