New unit will help maternity problems (From Ealing Times)

New unit will help maternity problems

2:51pm Thursday 10th July 2008

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A LOCAL hospital has said improving the standard of care for pregnant women is one of its top priorities.

Ealing Hospital's maternity ward was ranked amongst the worst performing in England in a review by the Healthcare Commission, the watchdog for health trusts.

The recently appointed head of midwifery at the hospital, Liz Stephens, said the hospital was opening a new maternity unit which would be a "home from home" for expectant mothers.

She said: "We recognise where improvements need to be made and are delighted to announce the opening of our new midwifery led unit which will provide care for low risk women in a home from home environment.

"This area is currently adjacent to the Labour Ward so that transfer is quick and easy if necessary, but helps us keep Labour Ward beds for women requiring more intensive care."

"The quality of our midwives is very high and we continue to recruit new midwives to meet our standards.

"At the moment we have a small number of midwife vacancies and are recruiting to fill these vacancies as a matter of urgency. We will be reviewing our staff numbers in line with the Healthcare Commission recommendations."

There are also plans for a further extension to the midwifery units, which Ms Stephens said are currently in the planning stage.

Sarah Miller, who works in the unit three days a week for independent charity the National Childbirth Trust as a breastfeeding counsellor, said the new unit would improve standards further.

She said: "I understand they are planning to spend £4.2m on the new centre, and if it is given the go ahead the department will be a different place by 2010.

"I've worked here for about three years and things like communication have definitely improved in my area.

"It is a busy ward, there are never more than two or three of the 20 or so beds on the ward empty, and women from all sorts of cultures use it.

I think other hospitals would be jealous of the service we are able to offer at Ealing, having breastfeeding counsellors on hand for support five days a week."

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