Unite is campaigning to save a vital service for women in Oxfordshire who are experiencing early pregnancy loss and complex gynaecological conditions after it has been earmarked for closure.

The Gynaecology Counselling Service, operated by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, provides emotional and psychological support and is used by 80 women on average a week.

Its early pregnancy loss service works with women and couples experiencing loss up to 16 weeks gestation, with women and couples experiencing recurrent loss and with women and couples that have had life threatening ectopic loss while it also offers help to women who have chronic pelvic pain.

In early April staff were informed by email that the Trust intended to close the service, and the consultation period on the service’s future was due to close by the end of last month. However, following Unite’s intervention the consultation period has been paused but the service remains under threat.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a unique service operated by dedicated workers, which provides vital support to women in Oxfordshire.

“It is incredibly cost effective and cutting the service would be penny pinching of the worst order. Unite will fight every step of the way to keep it open.”

It has been selected for closure despite the fact it is cheap to maintain. It is operated by just four women working part-time and two unpaid student counsellors. The team operate almost entirely from home, meaning their overhead costs are minimal.

Unite is actively working with MPs, Councillors, and the local community, asking them to write to the chief executive of the trust calling on him to reverse the decision to cut this service. Members of the public can add their support by signing here.

Unite regional officer Kate Attwooll said: “MPs and councillors are joining Unite’s campaign to ensure that this important service which helps women when they are experiencing grief and anxiety is protected.

“It is imperative that the trust understands the level of public anger cutting this service would create and reverses its decision today. Women experiencing miscarriage, fertility trauma, pain and pregnancy loss deserve compassionate, specialist support - not abandonment.”

ENDS

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org