DETERMINED East Hampshire mums marched defiantly through Westminster last week to demand the reopening of a popular birthing centre. Save The Grange campaigners knocked on Prime Minister Tony Blair's front door in London to hand over a massive petition containing the signatures of 10,000 supporters. And East Hampshire MP Michael Mates believes the pressure is now rising on health chiefs to give campaigners a date for The Grange in Swan Street to reopen. There was a massive outcry when the birthing unit - together with the Blackbrook Centre in Fareham - was temporarily closed in July. Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust bosses blamed a shortage of staff caused by maternity leave and long-term sickness. Since then a series of high-profile demonstrations and meetings have helped thrust the campaign into the public eye. But in their biggest statement yet, mums and babies marched from Waterloo station to Downing Street on Thursday, carrying their petition in a pram. And six of the campaign leaders had clearance to walk to Number 10, together with Mr Mates and Fareham MP Mark Hoban. Mr Mates said it was likely the petition would be handed to the appropriate government department before campaigners were sent a response. And he praised the many supporters who had made their way to the capital to help give the campaign national recognition. He said: "It is a huge effort they've made - good for them. They will get a response. It is now down to the care trusts. "It gives these good people who collected the signatures some satisfaction. "We are making a very definite statement that what is happening now is wrong and needs to be put right." Mr Mates revealed he had recently persuaded Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Ursula Ward to attend the next Save The Grange campaign public meeting. "Now we are going to have a meeting in Petersfield in January. Pressure is building to see what happens in the next financial year. And we will keep up the pressure," he said. Mr Hoban added: "Despite the NHS trust saying that it will review the situation at the end of the financial year, there is no guarantee that either centre will reopen. "It is fantastic that 10,000 people across Hampshire have supported the campaign. I want them to know that both Michael Mates and I are here to support them. "We must keep the pressure on Ursula Ward for a reopening date. "It is the depth of support that we hope will prompt them to reopen the centres. "I don't think anyone can ignore 10,000 people. What we cannot afford to do is let the issue disappear from public view." After presenting their signatures, the campaigners walked to the House of Commons, where they held talks with shadow health minister Dr Andrew Murrison. Campaign leader Sarah Roberts said the meeting with Dr Murrison had been a success. She added that the shadow minister understood the importance of maternity units as his fifth child was born at the Blackbrook birthing centre in Fareham. She said: "It was very interesting to gain Dr Murrison's perspective. It gave us an opportunity to vocalise some of the concerns we have. "As a shadow minister he cannot make us any promises but it was useful to know that there are ministers like him who understand the need for maternity units. "We have asked for a road map to the reopening of The Grange. We are still pushing ahead but we have still got lots more to do. Mrs Roberts had earlier told The Herald: "These closures reduce choice for many women in Hampshire and contradict local and national maternity policy. "Many pregnant women now face longer journeys to hospital during labour and are forced to go to larger and busier maternity units. Her fellow campaign leader, Mel Watson, added: "The Grange and Blackbrook offer families a positive and supportive environment for birth and postnatal care. "Many women particularly value the breastfeeding support available. We are very concerned that families are losing vital services as a direct result of financial constraints. "The government has acknowledged the value of birth centres in the National Service Framework but its policies are not being put into practice across the country. "We want the government to encourage primary care trusts and NHS trusts to use birth centres and provide support to ensure their place in maternity services for families in the future."
