MIDWIVES opposing controversial Making it Better plans to axe maternity services from Fairfield Hospital are taking to the streets this weekend in a protest against cuts to the NHS.

The demo is to take place on Saturday with protesters assembling at 12 noon in Manchester's Albert Square.

It has been called by UNISON Manchester Community and Mental Health to protest at cuts in jobs and services, downgrading of jobs, and threats of privatisation.

The demo will be attended by midwives and student midwives from maternity units throughout Greater Manchester, including Fairfield, that are earmarked for closure under plans to centralise staff to provide a better service.

Midwifery lecturer Sarah Davies said: "We will be bringing to people's attention the fact that the reconfiguration proposals said they would make things better for mothers and babies but all that came out of it was plans for five maternity/neonatal unit closures.

"There has not been a plan for any midwife-led unit to increase women's choices.

"If there are no low-risk units, the specialist units will be huge baby factories' exposing low-risk women to unnecessary interference in the normal process, and extra travelling."

l Conservative Parliamentary candidates for Bury, David Nuttall and Councillor Michelle Wiseman, have met with hospital bosses at Fairfield to discuss plans for an independent review into Making it Better called for by health secretary Patricia Hewitt.

Mr Nuttall said: "I urge everyone to make their views known to the panel once they call for representations. "