Bassetlaw Hospital’s inpatient maternity services move to Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Bassetlaw Hospital’s inpatient maternity and midwifery services are being moved to Doncaster Royal Infirmary to ensure the safety of mums-to-be.
Hospital chiefs say the move - effective until November 1 and described as a ‘difficult decision’ - will mean better staffing and resources for Bassetlaw mums and babies.
However it will also free up essential staff such as anaesthetists to support critically ill patients treated at Bassetlaw Hospital.
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals also hope to have ‘a number of newly recruited and qualified midwives’ in place when the service reopens in November.
David Purdue, director of nursing and midwifery, said relocation was being undertaken to ensure a safe and effective service while creating extra provision in case any midwives were affected by Covid-19.
He said: “As an organisation we apologise for any inconvenience but our local communities will appreciate the extraordinary circumstances we are currently operating under.
“The safety of our patients is of the utmost importance and these measures have been taken with this in mind.
“Services will return on November 1 when we will also welcome new midwives to our team.”
All affected parents have been contacted – while antenatal and community services will continue as normal and have not moved.
The hospital is asking mothers-to-be to call their midwife with any pregnancy concerns or for urgent care to call maternity triage on 01302 642711.
In order to help parents-to-be keep in touch Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals has launched the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Maternity Services Facebook page.
The page is overseen by midwives during ordinary working hours and can be accessed HERE.