East Midlands: More cash for maternity services

Women having babies in the East Midlands and across the country will be cared for in more homely environments and benefit from new equipment, maternity minister Dr Dan Poulter announced today. £10 million is being awarded to trusts as part of the government’s drive to improve maternity care for women and babies, with £639,131 being allocated to the East Midlands.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Mar 2014, 07:00 BST
Guardian NewsGuardian News
Guardian News

The money has been allocated to 63 Trusts across the country and will help to improve the places where women are cared for before, during and after birth. The funding will also give women more choice of where to give birth.

Trusts in the East Midlands region to receive funding are:

Kings Mill Hospital Sutton and Ashfield, part of the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, will receive £25,000 to improve ante-natal and breast-feeding facilities.

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Leicester General Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary, part of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, will receive £161,547 to fund a new bereavement room and refurbish the two existing bereavement rooms

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Bury St Edmunds, will receive £190,500 to modernise and upgrade all maternity services.

Bedford Hospital will receive £20,000 for a new birthing pool.

Kettering General Hospital will receive £200,000 to improve facilities on the maternity ward.

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Northampton General Hospital will receive £42,084 to upgrade bathrooms.

Maternity minister, Dr Dan Poulter said:

“Making sure families receive a good experience when having a baby in NHS maternity units is a top priority for me, as both a doctor and a health minister.

“Since 2010 we have already seen huge improvements to maternity services right across the country. We have more midwives working in more midwife-led units, record numbers of midwives in training, more birthing pools, and more family rooms. More mums and babies are being helped to have the best start in life.

“This investment in maternity care is all already making a big difference to families, with more choice and a better environment where women can give birth.

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“But we want to do more. This £10 million investment has been targeted to the areas we know need it the most. It has also provided a boost to the local economy by supporting local, hardworking companies who will carry out the work.”

Cathy Warwick, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said:

“This £10 million fund is very welcome. Last year, the first tranche of funding made a big difference to our maternity units and mothers, babies and families are experiencing better facilities. I look forward to seeing more units reap the benefits of securing a grant.”

Related topics:East Midlands