The announcement was made on Friday, (July 23) to all birthing women and people, babies, families and colleagues informed, stating that women who were booked to have a homebirth will be contacted by the NWAngliaFT Maternity Team.

The trust also runs Hinchingbrooke and Stamford Hospitals, and a spokesperson said: “Following extensive and careful consideration of all available options we are unable to provide a safe homebirth service due to chronic regional staffing shortages, and therefore we have had to take the difficult decision to temporarily suspend our homebirth service with immediate effect (Friday, July 23).

“This decision has had to be made in order to keep all birthing women and people, babies, families and colleagues safe and this is why we are asking that you come into hospital to have your baby. This will enable staff to be utilised within our maternity units, we know that this will have an impact upon you and your family, and for this we are very sorry.

“We would ask that whilst the homebirth service is temporarily suspended that as soon as your labour starts you contact the hospital you are booked at so that they can prepare for your arrival. Our priority continues to be everybody’s safety.

“We want to stress the importance of you having midwifery care during your labour and birth, so please do contact your hospital as your labour starts.

“Please note that all women who were booked to have a homebirth will be contacted by our NWAngliaFT Maternity Team. Please discuss your concerns with your midwife who can escalate your concerns to the appropriate member of staff.

“If you have non-clinical questions please contact your maternity and neonatal voice partnership via email peterboroughhinchingbrookemvp@gmail.com or via their Facebook page".

Updates on when the service will resume will be published by the Trust soon.