Downpatrick community midwifery led unit opens

Women in the Downpatrick area now have the opportunity to give birth in the new community midwifery led unit at the Downe Hospital.

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey visited the new unit on the day it opened to view the facilities and talk to staff. The state-of-the-art unit comprises three fully equipped rooms, each with its own ensuite facilities and birthing pool.

Mr McGimpsey said: "This is the first stand-alone community midwifery unit in Northern Ireland and when it is fully operational, it will have the capacity to handle 300 births.

"The new unit offers a new choice for women with low risk pregnancies, of giving birth in a ‘home from home’ environment led by skilled midwives."

The unit will initially operate 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday, and once the current recruitment process has finished, it will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

During the visit the Minister also launched the new Northern Ireland Maternity Hand Held Record which ensures all women have access to their maternity records throughout their pregnancy. He continued: "The new Northern Ireland Maternity Hand Held Record (MHHR) is based on evidence around best practice in maternity care. Women will be given the records from the start of their pregnancy and up until they give birth. The maternity record will contain information on their care and treatment and also provides helpful advice and information on pregnancy.

"It has been developed to take into consideration the needs of the three main 'stakeholders' in maternity care: the woman, the baby, and their carers. In December 2009 the record received the National Childbirth Trust award for innovation."

Notes to editors:

1. One of the outcomes from a value for money audit into maternity services in 2006 was the proposal to develop a set of regional maternity notes for use by all women. In August 2008 a multi-professional working group was set up with representation from professional groups and users involved in the care of a woman and her baby during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.

2. Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0571, or out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.