HOSC Tuesday 14 July 2026
On Tuesday, mothers, babies and supporters attended Gloucestershire’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to hear the proposed changes to community maternity services being discussed.
It was a fantastic turnout, and it was especially good to see mothers and babies welcomed into the room to witness the proceedings. Their presence was a powerful reminder of who these decisions affect.
HOSC has now asked Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to respond to the scrutiny questions submitted by GMAG.
We expect those answers by the end of July.
After the meeting, members of the NHS leadership team, including Matthew Holdaway and Nicola Moore, the new Deputy Director of Midwifery, came out to speak with us.
It was encouraging to hear about Nicola’s experience of continuity models and her commitment to this way of working. However, these remain verbal assurances. The current proposal still does not include a clear, funded continuity model and risks removing what little continuity remains in Stroud.
Women in Gloucestershire are also still unable to access supported homebirth.
Planned homebirth remains a safe and appropriate option for most women, and Gloucestershire has skilled and experienced midwives able to provide this care when they are properly supported.
It is the system that is failing women and midwives — not homebirth itself.
Following HOSC, we have written to both Nicola Moore and Matthew Holdaway to request a serious, properly agendaed meeting at the hospital to examine continuity, the proposed redesign, the restoration of homebirth services and the use of independent midwives as an interim solution.
Below you can watch the meeting, read the council papers and we will post updates of email correspondence in due course.
