A PUBLIC meeting is to be held today (Thursday) to discuss the loss of the overnight stay facility at the maternity unit in Okehampton Hospital.

NHS Devon is holding the meeting to explain what is proposed and to get feedback from members of the public.

The decision has left many residents, including expectant mothers, angry and frustrated.

However, NHS Devon have said the proposals would reduce midwives' caseloads, so that they have more time to spend with mothers, particularly those who are vulnerable.

Assistant director for NHS Devon, Jenny McNeill, said the proposals aimed to increase the options for all mothers over where they give birth.

She said: 'This is certainly not about closing anything and it's not about cost-cutting.

'Not everyone has a real choice over where they give birth in our area, not for clinical reasons, but because of the way midwifery services are currently organised.

'In reality, this isn't just about the maternity units, it's about how we organise midwifery cover generally — in our community hospitals and in women's homes, so that it properly meets the needs of all women — not just those who choose a community hospital birth.

'We want a system that gives real choice to women wherever they live, even if not close to a birthing centre, freeing up midwives to spend more time delivering babies.'

The meeting will be held today between 1pm and 3pm in the Charter Hall.