THE impending closure of maternity services at Hemel Hempstead Hospital will be discussed in Parliament on Wednesday, December 12, after Harpenden MP Peter Lilley secured a debate on the issue.

The transfer of services to Watford has aroused anger throughout the district and a 40,000 signature protest petition is being presented to Parliament.

Mr Lilley said: "I am glad that we now have an opportunity to discuss the transfer of services to Watford before Lord Hunt's review begins in January.

"Last week I discovered that the review team will not make its recommendations until January 18 making it highly unlikely that the transfer (due to be completed by February 4) will be stopped."

Mr Lilley added that he intends to use the debate to raise public concerns over the closure and proposals for short, medium and long-term maternity services in West Hertfordshire.

He accepted that change may be necessary in the short-term to address safety concerns. But said: "In the medium-term, I shall demand ministers pledge to return maternity services to Hemel or St Albans.

"In the longer term, I shall argue that this strengthens the case for a superhospital to serve St Albans, Hemel Hempstead and Watford."

At a council forum on Monday, Councillor Julian Daly said: "The decision to move the Special Care Baby Unit was done without consulting the public and they don't welcome this."

Steve Knighton from the St Albans and Harpenden Primary Care Trust said the current Acute Services Review was intended to ensure this sort of thing did not happen again.