THE chairman of Fairfield Baby Lifeline Society has urged the people of Bury to join the campaign to keep the special care baby unit alive and kicking.

Dr Said Hany, who is an associate specialist in paediatrics at Fairfield Hospital, said: "Once the service is closed it will never be reopened."

The society, a charity group which over the past 25 years has raised hundreds of thousands pounds for the baby unit, is spearheading the campaign.

Dr Hany said: "I would urge the people of the borough to back the campaign. We have very little time to save health services in Bury. We can win this campaign with their support."

He called for volunteers and appealed for businesses to sponsor the campaign.

"We need help now, especially financial support to print posters and leaflets. We can promote the businesses that help on our leaflets and other material.

"We can save the special care baby unit and maternity services but we need help now," said Dr Hany.

Under proposals the special care baby unit would be closed and maternity services would be replaced with a 24-hour mid-wife led unit.

Expectant mums or new born babies needing special medical attention would be transferred to another hospital. Children would no longer be admitted overnight at Fairfield and those needing overnight attention would be taken to a nearby hospital. However, there would be more day surgery.

The money saved by implementing the proposals, along with further investment, would be put into establishing more community-based services supported by specialist medical teams to care for children in or nearer their home.

The hospital would introduce a "dedicated" children's observation and assessment service linked to the hospital's accident and emergency department.

Dr Hany said: "This campaign is not against change or progress, but the main question and objection is why Bury? Rochdale Infirmary or North Manchester General are not losing any service."

Dr Hany met with fellow trustees and other supporters of the baby unit on Monday evening (Aug 23) to discuss how to take the campaign further.

They are to hold a public meeting on September 13 and are planning to hold a protest march through Bury town centre. To date they have collected more than 7,000 signatures against the proposals.

The proposals put forward by the Children and Young People's Network, will go to public consultation later this year. Bury Primary Care Trust has set up two task forces to examine in detail the proposals, the findings of which will form part of the consultation.

Those who can help the campaign should ring 07813870002.