A respected charity which fights for the interests of mums-to-be has come out strongly against plans to downgrade maternity services at Maidstone hospital.

The Maidstone branch of the National Childbirth Trust is the latest organisation to oppose the transfer of full consultant-led services to the new Pembury hospital.

Emily Davis, Maidstone National Childbirth Trust chairman, gave the group’s support to campaign group Maidstone Action for Services in Hospital (MASH), saying mums chose to live in Maidstone, because of its proximity to the hospital.

She said: “As someone who is considered high risk and not advised to give birth in a midwife-led unit, the practicalities of travelling to and from Pembury would be impossible for me and my family,” she told MASH.

“Instead of a 10-minute journey I would be looking at an hour depending on the time of day, which would be very uncomfortable and daunting in labour. My husband would be faced with an up to two hour return journey every time he wanted to visit.”

Mrs Davis also pointed out that public transport was not ideal between Maidstone and Pembury and the route by road was also “vulnerable to delays”.

She added: “The prospect of attempting the journey whilst in labour ... fills many of our mums-to-be and existing members with dread and worry.”

NHS West Kent insists it is increasing choice for mothers by replacing full maternity services at Maidstone with a midwife-led birthing unit.