Maternity unit receives significant investment

Issued by West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust has been awarded £537,000 by the Department of Health, after successfully bidding to improve and upgrade its maternity service at Watford General Hospital.

The hospital, one of over a hundred in England to receive a share of £25 million, was given the funding as part of a Government commitment to improving care, support and experience for women during pregnancy.

Margaret Southgate, Head of Midwifery and Gynaecology at the Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our bid has been accepted.  This will greatly improve a number of services and facilities we offer women and their families choosing to give birth at Watford”.

She explained: “Following feedback from service users, a major part of the funding will be dedicated to improving the birthing experience for women and their families who choose to use our Alexandra Birth Centre.   The popularity of our centre speaks for itself, as one of the largest in the country with up to 1,200 women year choosing to give birth there.  This funding will allow us to upgrade our birthing pool rooms and other equipment.

“Regrettably for some families the birth of their baby is touched with sadness.  Therefore an important part of this funding will be dedicated to provide an additional suite to support families in their time of loss and bereavement.

"The remaining funding is intended to be used on improvements to the breast-feeding and parents facilities on the Special Care Baby Unit.”

Notes to Editor:

• Applications for funding were opened in November 2012 from local NHS trusts and foundation trusts, and judged on local demand by a panel that included representatives from the Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

For more information, please contact the Communications Team on 01923 436281, or through www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/newsandmedia

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