Online Focus Group – St Mary’s Birth Centre Pause

Following the pause to birth services at St Mary's Birth Centre since July 2025, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board have been gathering feedback from those affected by the pause to help shape the way forward. Alongside a questionnaire, they have been running focus groups with staff and patients to gain a deeper understanding of the impact.

Following requests from partners and patients, they have now arranged an additional online focus group, which will take place on Thursday 5 February, 6.30pm–8pm, regarding next steps for maternity care across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland..

This session is open to individuals who were planning or considering giving birth and/or receiving postnatal care at St Mary's Birth Centre between July 2025 and September 2026, but were (or are) unable to do so because of the pause. Partners, family members and carers of these individuals may also wish to attend.

The focus groups allow them to gain a more detailed understanding of how the pause in services has affected people and will help inform decision‑making about future maternity care.

Places are limited and advance registration is required: www.bit.ly/smbc-groups

For further information, please visit www.bit.ly/smbc-impact or contact llricb-llr.beinvolved@nhs.net.