MIDWIVERY services could return to two children's centres after Bury Council offered an olive branch.

The Guide reported last month that health bosses had moved midwifery services out of Butterstile Children's Centre in School Grove and Sedgley Children's Centre in Bishops Road after town hall bosses asked for payment.

Local authority leaders said Bolton medical bosses had paid money to provide midwifery services in Radcliffe, so Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust (PAHT) ought to do the same in Prestwich, and pay £100 a week.

But PAHT refused and wrote to all patients affected to say appointments would be moved to GP services and hospitals.

Now, the council has offered to waive the fee if PAHT provide its own staff and materials and works within consistent hours.

"I do hope PAHT feels that this offer provides a basis for midwifery services to return to our children's centres," said the council's children's services director Mark Carriline in a letter to PAHT.

He added that a meeting will take place in the next few days to discuss the issue.

The council's children's representative, Cllr Paddy Heneghan, said: "PAHT has made it clear it will not return to children's centres if the NHS is charged even a small amount to contribute to their running costs.

"While this position is completely unreasonable, our main priority is and always has been the welfare of local residents and their children and, on that basis, we have agreed to waive the charges.

"I would have hoped that as public sector partners, we could have reached a fair compromise given the savage cuts the council is facing.

"That hasn't happened, but to ensure that parents receive the best advice and support for their children we will continue to shoulder the burden of PAHT using our facilities."

The council's health representative, Cllr Andrea Simpson, added: "The council has done the right thing. I hope PAHT will do the same. The ball is very much in its court."

PAHT's woman’s and children’s services divisional director Jo Keogh said: "We will now discuss with the council and local GP practices the implications of this and look at the operational logistics of moving back into the children's centres.

"We recognise the stringent financial climate facing both the council and the health service and we acknowledge the change in the council's position on charging.

"We also recognise and appreciate the flexibility and support shown by local GPs so that services to women could be maintained and provided locally during this period."