FEARS have been voiced that the Alexandra Hospital's maternity unit may eventually be closed as a direct result of a shake-up of the special care baby unit (SCBU).

According to the Royal College of Midwifery, the SCBU is to be downsized ''considerably,'' meaning many mums-to-be will be sent to Worcester.

The news comes after assurances from hospital chiefs that the SCBU was not closing because of staffing problems but would be ''merged'' with a transitional care unit.

Concerns throughout the maternity unit have led to union bosses being called in and a dispute being registered with Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Alexandra.

RGM regional officer for the West Midlands Lianne Brooks said at the moment there had been no confirmation the maternity unit would shut.

She said: "The union has been meeting with management to discuss the reconfiguration of services.

''The proposal put forward by management means the special care baby unit will be downsized considerably to a transitional care unit. The reason for it, they say, is because they can't get the staff to safely run the unit.''

She added: "Unison feels the management may not have explored the other possibilities.

''The union fears the consultant obstetricians will withdraw from giving care to high-risk women because there will be no special care baby unit to support them at the Alex.

"If this happens, many women will not be able to have their babies there and they will have to go to Worcester, there will be no choice.

"And if the delivery rate at the Alex drops significantly, it may lead to the whole maternity unit closing."

Mrs Brooks said she had written to the consultant obstetricians asking if they could provide consultant-led care when the special care baby unit is downsized.

A Unison spokesman, based at the Alexandra, confirmed they, together with the RCM, had registered a dispute with the trust.

The spokesman said: "This is of great concern to us. The knock-on effect could be a big problem. When the special care baby unit is downsized, the consultants may not want to stay and then the maternity unit could go."

A trust spokesman said: "There is a national shortage of specially trained neo-natal nurses which has meant the Alex has been faced with difficulties in recruiting and retaining nurses for the SCBU.

''The trust has therefore approved a proposal for clinical staff to merge with SCBU and the transitional care unit which will provide a single unit caring for a wide range of sick or premature babies."

The spokesman added: "The consultants are in favour of this proposal, which will see extended support for maternity services at the Alexandra.

''It is misleading to suggest the SCBU at the Alexandra is closing.

''Negotiations are now under way with staff concerned to ensure the successful implementation so we can continue to deliver a safe, high quality service to patients."