A PUBLIC consultation which will help decide the fate of Clacton’s maternity unit starts this week.

Health bosses took the shockdecision to temporarily close the round-the-clock unit earlier this year because of staff shortages in Colchester.

It later reopened as an on-demand birthing centre.

NHS chiefs ruled out shutting Tendring’s maternity units in Clacton and Harwich after the threat of closure sparked a public outcry and the Gazette launched its Save Our Baby Services campaign.

Hundreds of people joined protest marches opposing the cuts.

Now a consultation has been launched which will help decide if the Clacton unit reopens full-time for pregnant mums or remains an on-demand service.

Antenatal and postnatal care would continue at the Tendring hospitals under both options.

Health bosses have promised a final decision has not already been made and are urging people to join in the consultation.

A consultation event takes place at Clacton Hospital’s maternity unit on Tuesday from 10.30am to 11.30am.

Leaflets about the consultation are available at maternity units, GP surgeries, children’s centres and libraries, or you can visit neessexccg.nhs.uk