"West Bridgford Baby Clinic Closure"

I would like to state that I am appalled at the fact that the baby clinic service is being withdrawn from West Bridgford and is replaced by a 'self service weigh in' at the Library.

I am a new Grandma following my son and his partner having a new baby a week before Christmas. We are very fortunate in that we all live together and I dread to think how they would have coped without the added support of being under the same roof.

At first the midwife service was reduced in that there used to be daily care for a new mother (as there had been a C- section and the new mum had been discharged from hospital 24 hours following the C-section. Midwife visited day one and then day 5.

However when we received the visit from the Health Visitor and were advised that baby clinic would be withdrawn from the end of January I was appalled. The new mum is not from this area and as such doesn't know many people and I had been saying that going to the baby clinic was a great way of meeting other people in a relaxed way - rather than joining a group which can be intimidating to go to as a new person. The other value of the baby clinic is the excellent advice offered in a relaxed atmosphere - there are many things that new mums are unsure about but wouldn't want to trouble someone with a call out or a telephone call and these subjects can be broached in a relaxed manner in clinic. Also hearing another new mum say my baby does XXX and realising that your baby does it as well and it is perfectly normal is a blessing and reassurance in itself - you can't get that anywhere else. The support required and given at baby clinic to all mums is something that shouldn't be replaced and will be sorely missed. I had 3 sons, all who were taken care of at baby clinics in West Bridgford - the value to myself and them by the Health Visitors was completely brilliant and I value it to this day.