QUEEN Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup has defended its decision to cancel its ante-natal classes for mums-to-be at the hospital because of fears about swine flu.

The decision was taken by the South London Healthcare Trust, which now runs Queen Mary’s, the Princess Royal Hospital in Farnborough and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich.

But the trust has not taken a similar decision to cancel ante-natal classes at either of the other two hospitals.

Initially, Queen Mary’s said the cancellation of the parent education classes was “part of our flu pandemic plans, to minimise the risk for pregnant women”.

A spokesman said: “Our midwives will help and try and accommodate women who require specific information.

“None of our routine ante-natal clinics or hands-on care for pregnant women are affected.”

When pressed on why the trust’s flu pandemic plans did not extend to minimising the risk for pregnant women at its other two sites, a spokeswoman said the decision was made because of “a number of local factors”.

It claimed it was receiving a great number of calls from anxious mums-to-be following suggestions pregnant women would become more seriously ill than other adults if they contracted the disease, because their immune systems are lowered during pregnancy.

The hospital also said there were low attendance rates at the classes this month.

As a result, Queen Mary’s said it had decided to provide the ante-natal information in a different way, such as in small groups or on a one-to-one basis.

The hospital is due to lose its maternity services within the next two years, except for a midwife-led birthing unit.

Old Bexley and Sidcup MP Derek Conway defended the decision, saying the classes were not essential if there was a risk of catching the disease.