£200k boost for labour ward at Yeovil Hospital (From This is The West Country)

£200k boost for labour ward at Yeovil Hospital

11:00am Thursday 31st January 2013 in News

YEOVIL District Hospital has been awarded £200k to make major improvements to its maternity facilities.

The money will be spent on creating a group of six en-suite birthing rooms, all with enough space and furniture for women and partners to feel comfortable. The current facilities are not en-suite - with the exception of the birthing pool room which opened in 2012 funded by the Flying Colours Appeal).

The Government have only approved funding where there was evidence that local mums and dads wanted the changes.

Bids were judged by a panel that included representatives from the Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter said: "A new arrival in the family is a joyous time but it can present a real challenge for mums and families, particularly those experiencing it for the first time.

“Maternity units have had to show evidence that they asked mums and dads about what changes they need to make – so we know these are the changes local people really want to see.”

James Kirton, head of fundraising at Yeovil, said: “This contribution from the government will allow us to speed up our work to improve the Women’s Health and Maternity Unit.

"Although the charitable appeal is currently focused on our Special Care Baby Unit, this work on the labour ward was in our plans for the future so we are delighted it is now funded.”