Changes to services at Rossendale Birth Centre as demand for births drops

Following a decline in the number of babies being born at Rossendale Birth Centre, health officials have decided to remove the birthing unit. 
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Based at Rawtenstall Primary Care Health Centre in Bacup Road, the birth centre opened in 2010 with an expectation that around 125 births would take place there per year, however only four babies have been born there in the last two years; three in 2024-25 and just one in 2025-26. 

Despite the birthing suite no longer being used, antenatal and postnatal care will remain at the site in Rawtenstall, as well as a range of other services that are also provided within the health centre – known locally as ‘the hub’.  

The birth centre service is provided by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) and commissioned by NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB). 

Parents will still be able to choose from a range of other maternity services provided by ELHT, such as: 

• A home birth in Rossendale with midwives from the same team who supported parents at the birth centre. 
• Giving birth at Blackburn Birth Centre. 
• Giving birth at Burnley Birth Centre. 
• Attending Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre in Burnley General Teaching Hospital, where around 6,500 babies are born each year. 

Craig Harris, chief commissioning officer at the ICB, said: “While I know local people will feel disappointed by this decision, it is important to note that the vast majority of parents will be completely unaffected, as only a tiny number of babies are born at Rossendale Birth Centre every year. 

“Instead, mums are opting for a local home birth or, more commonly in the area, by choosing the high-quality services at Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre in Burnley, where maternity care is recognised as among the best in England and receives consistently positive feedback from parents. 

“I would like to reassure parents that the other services based in the centre will not be affected and the aim is to expand on the excellent care provided by the antenatal and postnatal teams.” 

Tracy Thompson, director of midwifery at ELHT, said: “I want to reassure all mothers and families within the areas of the Rossendale community that the option to facilitate personal birth choices will remain, utilising the well-established home birth provision and other birth centre services at ELHT.” 

The ICB would like feedback on what this change may mean for women, families and local people. To leave feedback, please complete the online survey at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/Rossendalebirthcentre