MUMS-to-be can once again give birth in Petersfield after a relentless 16-month battle to re- open the Grange bore fruit this week. But campaigners will only hang up their placards when they know postnatal care at the Swan Street centre is as extensive as it was before the doors were temporarily closed last July. In a party atmosphere on Monday morning, MP Michael Mates was on hand to cut a ribbon to mark the re-opening of the popular unit. It was the culmination of months of campaigning which included three trips to Westminster, public meetings and demonstrations, and a wave of support from the town community. But although the initial goal of reopening the facility has been achieved, not enough staff are yet available to provide the level of post-birth care mothers and babies were given before the closure. Previously, mothers would have been able to recuperate at the centre and receive advice from midwives about breastfeeding and the early stages of care. Campaign leader Sarah Roberts praised Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust for reopening the Grange, but she was still keen to keep up the pressure on health bosses. She said: "It is great that the doors are open again and that local people now have the choice to use a local birth centre. "But the service isn't as good as it was 16 months ago. We need to continue to campaign to improve the post-natal service and then this birth centre will thrive. "The next step is to pressure the NHS Trust into staffing the wards with healthcare support workers which will extend the ability for the centre to offer quality post-natal care. "I am convinced that if the trust does this the birth centre will be really popular. "We are certain that the pressure placed on the NHS trust has made a difference to the Grange reopening. "We would like to thank the local community for all their support over this long campaign, for coming to our public meetings, for writing letters, and for signing our petition." At the official opening ceremony, East Hampshire MP added: "Isn't it nice to have some good news about the NHS? "They take a lot of stick but now, thanks to the good people who have been on their backs for a long time, it gives me enormous pleasure to open the birth centre, and this is for Donna Ockenden's benefit, permanently." Meanwhile, a Grange steering group made up of local stakeholders (parents, GPs, midwives, primary care trust and NHS Trust members) is being formed with the aim of keeping a close eye on the service, and to consider ways of improving the service it offers. And head of midwifery at Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust Donna Ockenden has vowed to continue monitoring the Grange's staffing situation.