West Mid Maternity To Get Makeover

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Women having babies will see £ 200,000 of improved facilities

Women and their partners who will have their babies at West Middlesex University Hospital’s award winning maternity unit can look forward to improved facilities following a Government grant of over two hundred thousand pounds.

At the end of last year hospitals with maternity units were asked to submit bids to improve or upgrade their facilities, with the chance of sharing £25 million funding on offer. West Middlesex has been awarded £210,000.

Tonie Neville , who heads up the maternity unit at West Middlesex explains: “Our Queen Mary Maternity Unit is an old Victorian building, and whilst we have been continually improving its facilities there are some areas in need of upgrading. We are delighted to receive this funding and plan to spend the money on a new waiting area, updating our bathrooms on the labour ward, and special reclining chairs for dads to relax and sleep in if they stay over-night with their partners. These improvements will make things more comfortable for mums, dads, and everyone else who uses the maternity unit.” The work is expected to start in early spring.#

The Queen Mary Maternity Unit recently passed a rigorous assessment, demonstrating it has the highest standards of patient safety. The assessment was undertaken independently for the NHS Litigation Authority, and awarded the maternity unit level three status – the highest achievable for the second time, after previously assessing it in 2010.

In November, the Government opened the £25 million fund to applications from local NHS trusts and foundation trusts. Applications for funding have only been approved where there was evidence that local mums and dads wanted the changes. Bids were judged by a panel that included representatives from the Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

More than 100 hospitals will share a £25 million fund to improve and upgrade their maternity units, Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter announced last week.

Follow the hospital on Twitter: twitter.com/WestMidHospital

January 29, 2013