FOI Requests for MLU Closures

17th November 2025

Deadline 15th December 2025

1. Gloucester Birth Unit Operational Status & Closures Since Jan 2024

2. Stroud Midwifery-Led Unit (Stroud MLU) – Closures since Jan 2024

3. Redeployment of Midwives & Redirection of Women Planning Midwife-Led Care (Gloucester Birth Unit)

4. Conversion of Gloucester Birth Unit Clinical Rooms to Office Use

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FOI Request – Gloucester Birth Unit Operational Status & Closures

Please provide the following information for the period 1 January 2024 – present for the Gloucester Birth Unit (alongside midwife-led unit):

1. The number of days the GBU has been:
   a. Fully closed
   b. Closed to new admissions
   c. Operating at reduced capacity

2. For each closure or restriction, the recorded reason.

3. Any internal logs, escalation notices, or reports that record these closures in summary form (e.g., daily staffing/acuity logs, sitrep data).

4. Any AEQUIP reviews, impact assessments, or internal reflections specifically relating to these closures or service restrictions.

5. Where recorded, any alternative options explored before deciding to close or restrict the GBU on those dates.

Please provide electronically.

Kind regards,
Emma

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FOI REQUEST – Stroud Midwifery-Led Unit (Stroud MLU)

Please provide the following information for the period 1 January 2024 – present for the Stroud Midwifery-Led Unit:

1. The number of days Stroud MLU has been:
   a. Fully closed
   b. Closed to new admissions
   c. Operating at reduced capacity (e.g. only one room available)

2. For each closure or restriction, the recorded reason.

3. Any internal logs, escalation notices, or reports that record these closures in summary form (e.g., daily staffing/acuity logs, sitrep data).

4. Any AEQUIP reviews, impact assessments, or internal reflections specifically relating to these closures or service restrictions.

5. Where recorded, any alternative options explored before deciding to close or restrict the Stroud MLU on those dates.

Please provide electronically.

Kind regards,
Emma

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FOI REQUEST – Redeployment of Midwives & Redirection of Women Planning Midwife-Led Care (Gloucester Birth Unit)

Dear Team,

Please provide the following information for the period 1 January 2024 – present for the Gloucester Birth Unit (alongside midwife-led unit):

1. The number of occasions per month where midwives assigned to the Gloucester Birth Unit were redeployed to Delivery Suite or any other obstetric area.
   If figures are only recorded annually or in another format, please provide the data in the format held.

2. Where figures are recorded, the number of women planning midwife-led care who were redirected to obstetric-led care per month as a result of the GBU being closed, restricted, or understaffed.

3. Copies of any policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), escalation frameworks, or guidance documents governing the redeployment of midwife-led unit staff.

4. Any AEQUIP reviews, internal reflection documents, or impact assessments specifically relating to redeployment practices or the redirection of women planning midwife-led care.

Please provide electronically.

Kind regards,
Emma

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FOI Request – Conversion of Gloucester Birth Unit Clinical Rooms to Office Use

Dear FOI Team,

I am submitting a Freedom of Information request regarding the decision to convert two clinical rooms within the Gloucester Birth Unit (alongside midwife-led unit) into office space.

Please provide the following information:

1. The date the decision was made to convert these rooms into office space.

2. Copies of any meeting minutes, emails, internal communications, consultations or decision papers where this change was discussed, proposed, or approved.

3. The rationale recorded for removing these rooms from clinical use.
   In particular, please confirm whether the rationale included:
   a. A recorded drop in births or admissions to the Gloucester Birth Unit
   b. Staffing pressures
   c. Estate/space pressures elsewhere in maternity services
   d. Any other stated justification

4. Any impact assessments, risk assessments, capacity modelling, or AEQUIP reflections carried out before or after the rooms were converted.

5. Copies of any communications issued to staff regarding the change; specifically the communication warning staff not to use the rooms for births under any circumstances.

Please provide all information electronically.

Kind regards,
Emma