EALING Hospital is at risk of losing its maternity and paediatric services, as NHS North West London threatens to cut the units.

The proposed downgrade of the hospital to a ‘local hospital’ will see nine of its 11 types of service lost, meaning that patients seeking maternity, obstetric and paediatric units will have to travel out of the borough.

Birth rates in the borough have increased by 30 per cent over the last 10 years. Of the approx 5,800 babies born every year, just under half are delivered at Ealing Hospital.

The total number of people between the ages of 10 to 14 is predicted to grow by 43.1 per cent between 2012 and 2035.

Council leader Julian Bell warns that neighbouring boroughs are experiencing a similar growth in birth rates and do not have the capacity to cope with patients from Ealing, too.

He said: “It is incomprehensible to ask expecting parents to travel to Isleworth, Hammersmith or Paddington for their care.

“It is clear from these plans that the NHS has no regard for the impact on our residents and their care at such a sensitive time.”

A protest against the cuts will rally at Ealing Common today (Saturday, 15) at 1pm.