 Eight specialist maternity units would remain under the plans |
Up to five maternity units could close in Greater Manchester after a review of children's health services. Children's in-patient services, maternity and neo-natal wards at Bury, Trafford and Rochdale hospitals face closure under the proposals.
The future of units at Salford and Macclesfield will be decided at a meeting in December.
Health bosses want to concentrate services on eight larger sites across the region.
 | Remaining hospitals Stepping Hill, Stockport
North Manchester General
Tameside
St Mary's
Wigan
Bolton
Oldham
Wythenshawe
|
A 15-week public consultation on the plans will be held in early 2006.
The two-year review was undertaken by a joint committee of primary care trusts in Greater Manchester.
It highlighted a lack of specialist doctors across the region, which has meant maternity units closing at various times because of a lack of cover.
At a meeting on Thursday, health bosses agreed on a model of "enhanced community services" with a concentration of more specialist services on fewer and larger in-patient sites.
The remaining units would become midwifery units, which would help with non-complicated deliveries and post natal care.
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