HEALTH officials in Bury have endorsed radical plans to change maternity services at Fairfield Hospital, which would mean the closure of its special care baby unit.

The recommendations were supported by Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT) board at its meeting on Wednesday.

Yesterday, the plans went before a meeting of the Strategic Health Authority in Manchester, who were expected to approve the proposals which will then be subject to a formal public consulation period of three months.

If the plans are eventually accepted, there will be no paediatric overnight care at Fairfield Hospital, but a 24-hour midwifery-led unit. Mothers will be sent home within hours of giving birth and supported by community-based health professionals.

If the mother develops labour difficulties, or the baby needs special care, they will be transferred to one of four specialist hospitals.

Ms Leila Williams, director of the Children's and Young Peoples Network who developed the proposals, told Bury PCT: "We understand that feelings are running high. We all know children are special, the most important in our society, and the health and wellbeing of these children are our most important priority. It has taken 18 months to get to this stage and it must be stressed that these are only proposals."

The recommendations, announced last week, are part of a major shake-up of childcare in the region.

More children would be treated at home by community-based nurses, allowing doctors and nurses to spend more time developing specialist skills.

Ms Williams explained: "The number of children in Greater Manchester is significantly less than 50 years ago and the health needs of the children are very different. Children are not small adults, they need doctors and nurses to look after their specialised needs.

"It is also important to recognise what parents want. During the past 18 months, 6,500 parents and children throughout Greater Manchester told us what they wanted. They want care close to home and for their children to be treated at home wherever possible."

She added: "Greater Manchester currently has 14 district services, unlike anywhere else in the country. We cannot continue to spread our services over this many districts. It is very difficult to develop children's services when they are such a small proportion of patients at each hospital.

"We have put forward 12 recommendations all aimed at improving the skills of people who look after children and providing care where parents want it -- close to home."

Ms Williams emphasised how no changes will be made until a suitable alternative was well established. She said: "I think it is vital that the staff are supported throughout this difficult process. They are highly valued people and the last thing we want is to lose the childrens' nurses.

"No changes will be made until the community nursing team is in place and established, which could take two to three years. This is a five year stratergy and we must have the right community services in place before any changes are made."