Start Well: important update about Whittington Health's maternity and neonatal services
25 Mar 2025
Proposals to change how maternity and neonatal services will be delivered across north central London (NCL).
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Story Update:
The meeting of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS England took place on 25 March at which the recommendations were approved. You can find out more about what this means for maternity and neonatal services across North Central London on the ICB's website by clicking here.
There are no immediate changes to any services.
Following extensive public and staff engagement, proposals to change how maternity and neonatal services will be delivered across north central London (NCL) will be considered by the NCL Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS England (Specialised Commissioning).
They will meet on Tuesday 25 March to discuss the recommended next steps and make a final decision about maternity and neonatal services.
The following recommendations will be considered:
- Services will remain open on the Whittington Hospital site.
- Maternity and neonatal services will be consolidated here and three other hospital sites: Barnet Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and University College London Hospitals.
- A minimum of level two neonatal care will be provided at all of these sites.
- To eventually close maternity and neonatal services at the Royal Free Hospital and the birthing suites at Edgware Birth Centre and expand antenatal and postnatal care at Edgware Community Hospital.