RESIDENTS worried about the possible closure of Malton maternity unit have been urged to write with their views to NHS bosses.

Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust is looking at modernising maternity services.

One of the options under review is the possible closure of Malton, Whitby and Bridlington community hospital maternity units, with services centralised at Scarborough.

Now Malton town councillors have added their voice to the growing calls for public consultation.

Town Clerk Gerry Cheetham said he had received 20 letters of protest from residents seeking the council's support opposing any moves to shut the unit.

Councillor David Lloyd-Williams said that the letters should be directed to the chairman of the NHS Trust, Richard Grunwell.

When services at the hospital were under threat in 1989, he said, the then chairman of the health authority, Russell Hinton, had been sent 600 letters urging a re-think, which proved successful.

"It really did have an impact. It is vital that such letters are read by those who make the decisions."

The council backed the opposition to any planned closure of the unit.

Norton GP Dr Warren Grant, from Derwent Surgery, said he agreed it was crucial for the NHS Trust to be fully aware of local feeling.

"We hear repeatedly from this Government that they are interested in delivering local services for local people," he said.

"It seems to me that the local people have got to show that they take this very seriously and are prepared to provide a very strong argument why any closure of the maternity unit should be opposed."

Dr Grant said his views were shared by is colleagues at the surgery, which serves Malton, Norton and the surrounding villages.

"I am very much opposed to this.

"The maternity service has served the women of Ryedale and much further afield for many years and provided a superb service.

"I am not aware that we have had any complaints at all about the Malton maternity unit.

"If we canvassed women who had delivered at Malton we would find tremendous support."

To make views known on the modernisation review of maternity services, residents can write to Richard Grunwell at the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Scarborough Hospital, Woodlands Drive, Scarborough YO12 6QL.

Updated: 11:12 Friday, January 31, 2003