Shrewsbury midwife-led unit closes as snow damages roof

Shropshire's hospital trust has given assurances "that women will have 24/7 access to a midwife"

A midwife-led unit has closed for births and inpatient care after snow damaged part of its roof.

The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital unit will be closed until late January apart from holding outpatient appointments.

Mothers-to-be in Shropshire will have to use the two maternity units at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford or give birth at home.

Shropshire's hospital trust has given assurances "that women will have 24/7 access to a midwife".

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The county's rural maternity units, in Ludlow, Oswestry and Bridgnorth, shut in July due to staff shortages.

Jo Banks, women and children's care group director at the hospital, said: "Our estates team is currently assessing the extent of the damage, and we are working with them to ensure that repairs are carried out as soon as they can be."