TRAFFORD'S health bosses say they have mixed emotions' over the massive impact on the borough of the health review announced today.

It will see the closure of Trafford General's maternity unit, special care baby unit and children's ward, over the next three to five years.

But there is the possibility of a midwife-led birth unit opening at Trafford General, and other services will remain and be improved.

Edna Robinson, Trafford Healthcare Trust's chief executive, said: "Obviously the decision comes as no surprise to Trafford as we understand and support the principles of the changes and know that not every hospital can retain its 24-hour children's ward. However, this does not mean an end to children's and maternity services in Trafford - far from it "This consultation was all about bringing care closer to home. Only certain types of care are likely to change and we expect to continue to offer Trafford children, young people and families an excellent local service. In the months to come, while plans are put in place to make the changes happen, we will be working hard to develop and change our services in line with the new arrangements across Greater Manchester.

"The changes will take three to five years to fully implement and until then the children's ward and maternity unit will be open for business as usual!"

She said for the vast majority of families, services will not change a great deal. Some services will stay the same and some will be developed. These include: *Community services being enhanced to support families care for more children outside of hospital.

*Children will continue to go to Trafford General Hospital's A & E department. A children's observation and assessment unit is also planned.

*More children will attend Trafford General and Altrincham General Hospitals and community settings for outpatient appointments.

*More children will have day surgery at Trafford General.

*Children needing to stay in hospital overnight will be admitted to nearby hospitals with 24-hour children's wards, such as Wythenshawe or Central Manchester Children's Hospital.

* Antenatal and postnatal care will continue to be provided throughout Trafford.

Mrs Robinson added: "We are all disappointed that in time our maternity unit will change. We are really proud of the care we provide to our mums and the Trafford doctors and midwives have worked so hard to achieve such fantastic results. Their success in increasing the number of normal births has been commended by the Government - it's a shame that it's the Trafford unit that has to change. However, this good practice puts the unit in an ideal position to possibly change to a midwifery-led unit if this is what local women want."

Rosemary Connor, the trust's head of midwifery said: "Our midwives are very excited about the possible prospect of establishing a birth centre at Trafford General. Our purpose-built maternity unit is perfect for offering care to women with normal pregnancies by highly qualified midwives in a homely, non-clinical environment.

"Most women with uncomplicated pregnancies are fit and healthy and are likely to give birth normally to healthy babies. For these women, a birth centre is a real option, which they may like to consider."

The trust will seek to explore the possibility of developing a midwifery-led Birth Centre at Trafford General Hospital with Trafford Primary Care Trust.

Leila Williams, the director of the Children and Young People and Families Network - which led the consultation about the health service changes - said: "We are very supportive of a midwife-led unit and have always championed Trafford as the place where we would like to see it first."