Health Minister opens new maternity unit at Ulster Hospital

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has officially opened the new state-of-the-art £13 million Maternity Unit at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.

The three-floor unit, which was designed with the help of mothers, includes two spacious new wards with a total of 32 beds, as well as single rooms with en-suite facilities. There are also seven midwifery-led Home from Home rooms including birthing pools.

The unit also accommodates a 16-cot neonatal unit and provides the full range of services from intensive care to special care provision.

Mr McGimpsey said: “I want to see maternity services that provide safe, high quality care and real choice for women. This new maternity unit at the Ulster Hospital goes a considerable way towards meeting these objectives.

“Real choice is about providing services that work for patients which can only be achieved by taking their experiences and views on board. By listening to mothers and involving them in the design of this maternity unit they have created a facility which will meet the needs of mothers and babies for many years to come.

“The midwifery-led home-from-home suite beside the consultant led unit significantly expands the options available to women, allowing them to give birth in a safe environment of their choice.

“This unit is the model for maternity services in Northern Ireland. I will strive to provide similar facilities for mothers and their babies within the resources I have available to me.”

Commenting on the work carried out so far in ensuring the success of the new unit, Mr McGimpsey said:

“This extensive new service could not operate effectively without the team of dedicated and professional people who are committed to developing the best possible maternity services, tailored to the needs of the population.”

Notes to Editors:

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