Health Minister announces increased investment in maternity services

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today announced an increased investment into maternity services at Craigavon Area Hospital bringing the total to £4.1million.

The additional £600,000 follows on from the £3.5million announced in September 2008. It will provide for an upgrade and refurbishment programme for the hospital maternity and neo-natal units which will mean greater capacity, a much improved environment for patients and more choice for mothers.

Visiting the maternity unit at the hospital, Mr McGimpsey said: “Our maternity services face a number of challenges. There is an increasing birth rate across Northern Ireland, which is particularly evident in the Southern Trust area. This increasing rate means that maternity services must be developed to meet those needs.

“This investment will ensure that the services we provide are of a high quality, are safe for mothers and babies and are configured to serve us well into the future.”

New facilities in the maternity unit will include;

• four new delivery rooms with enhanced ensuite provision;
• a birthing pool;
• a four bedded induction area, allowing women to labour with privacy and dignity in a safe and protected environment, and
• a three bedded recovery unit.

The neo-natal department will also be enhanced by:

• the provision of a single cot isolation room and the upgrade of three existing cot spaces;
• provision of patients/relatives’ accommodation; and

· additional support accommodation.

The Minister continued: “These facilities will significantly improve both the access to and the quality of services for women in the Southern Trust area.”

An additional maternity theatre at Craigavon Area Hospital was completed and opened in April 2008, and the upgrade and refurbishment work is due to begin later in the summer and expected to be completed in early 2010.

Notes to Editors:

1. Craigavon Area Hospital had 3,880 births in 2008/09, an increase of over 1,000 compared to 2003/04 when there were about 2,850 births.

2. Provision for an additional 12 midwives to complement the staff at Craigavon Area Hospital was announced in September 2008 as they began their training at Queen’s University.

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