I AM a trustee of Fairfield Baby Lifeline Society and one of the lead campaigners in the Babies First campaign to try and stop the closure of the maternity services, special care baby unit and the paediatric ward at Fairfield General Hospital.

However, I am writing this letter to thank Fairfield Hospital for saving my life and that of my son, Luke, exactly one year ago.

Luke was born at 30 weeks on November 5 weighing 2lbs 8oz. He had a haemoglobin of 2.7, was ventilated and had several blood transfusions to save his life. He was critically-ill for the first 24 hours.

After having an emergency caesarean section, I was rushed back into theatre as I had haemorrhaged and was on stand-by for an emergency hysterectomy. I later developed pulmonary oedema (fluid on the lungs).

If it weren't for the dedicated staff on the SCBU at Fairfield my son would have died. If it weren't for the experienced staff on maternity at Fairfield I would have died. For that my husband and I owe them everything and can't even begin to thank them enough.

If the new proposals had been in place then my son and I would not have survived the transfer to another hospital and would not be here now. Thank God the Strategic Health Authority have decided to re-think the proposals and, hopefully, issue more realistic ones ones that will, ultimately, not cost lives.

Luke will be celebrating his first birthday by having a party on Saturday at home and having a big fireworks display. His brother, Callam, (who was also premature) and his sister, Naomi, will be there with him as will other family members and friends.

Thank-you Fairfield for saving my little boy's life.

SHARRON ENTWISTLE