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19/03/2009
Lisburn Maternity Care 'Reprieved'
Fears over the future of a Co Antrim maternity facility are receeding this week.
The NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, yesterday announced that maternity services will - after all - be retained at Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn.
The intention is to establish a Community Midwifery Unit at the Hospital - with a planned launch date of 2010.
At the same time, antenatal and postnatal maternity services will remain at the hospital, caring for women before and after birth.
The announcement follows a proposal by the South Eastern Trust to transfer inpatient obstetric services from the hospital on the grounds that they are no longer sustainable but to also give their support for the development of a midwifery-led unit.
Speaking following a meeting on Wednesday with midwives and obstetricians at Lagan Valley Hospital, the Minister has now asked the South-Eastern Trust to produce a business case and implementation plan to ensure the new service is established as soon as possible.
He said: "I know that women in the area have received excellent maternity services for many years at Lagan Valley.
"It is now clear that inpatient obstetric services cannot be sustained in the longer term, however, antenatal and postnatal services will continue to be provided in the hospital for all local women.
"I want to establish a midwifery unit at Lagan Valley so that women in the Lisburn area will have greater choice of service provision and access to excellent services in the proposed new midwifery unit," he said.
A community midwifery unit will provide a full range of maternity services, which will offer greater choice for a significant number of women who are expected to have normal low risk labours.
"I have asked the Trust to produce an implementation plan so that the change in services can be introduced quickly," he said, indicating that this was likely to be in place next year.
The midwifery unit is likely to manage up to 500 births every year and would play a key role in supporting maternity services across Northern Ireland.
However, as part of the 'Developing Better Services' plan, and as highlighted in the recent consultation undertaken by the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, in-patient obstetric services cannot be sustained at Lagan Valley hospital in the long term.
In particular the Trust cannot provide the 24/7 paediatric input that would normally be expected in a consultant-led unit.
He said: "I want to acknowledge the dedication of staff at Lagan Valley maternity unit. As so many mothers will confirm, the staff in this unit provide high quality care in a friendly and welcoming environment and will continue to do so in the future."
See: Maternity Care 'Crisis' Alert In Craiavon
(BMcC/JM)
The NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, yesterday announced that maternity services will - after all - be retained at Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn.
The intention is to establish a Community Midwifery Unit at the Hospital - with a planned launch date of 2010.
At the same time, antenatal and postnatal maternity services will remain at the hospital, caring for women before and after birth.
The announcement follows a proposal by the South Eastern Trust to transfer inpatient obstetric services from the hospital on the grounds that they are no longer sustainable but to also give their support for the development of a midwifery-led unit.
Speaking following a meeting on Wednesday with midwives and obstetricians at Lagan Valley Hospital, the Minister has now asked the South-Eastern Trust to produce a business case and implementation plan to ensure the new service is established as soon as possible.
He said: "I know that women in the area have received excellent maternity services for many years at Lagan Valley.
"It is now clear that inpatient obstetric services cannot be sustained in the longer term, however, antenatal and postnatal services will continue to be provided in the hospital for all local women.
"I want to establish a midwifery unit at Lagan Valley so that women in the Lisburn area will have greater choice of service provision and access to excellent services in the proposed new midwifery unit," he said.
A community midwifery unit will provide a full range of maternity services, which will offer greater choice for a significant number of women who are expected to have normal low risk labours.
"I have asked the Trust to produce an implementation plan so that the change in services can be introduced quickly," he said, indicating that this was likely to be in place next year.
The midwifery unit is likely to manage up to 500 births every year and would play a key role in supporting maternity services across Northern Ireland.
However, as part of the 'Developing Better Services' plan, and as highlighted in the recent consultation undertaken by the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, in-patient obstetric services cannot be sustained at Lagan Valley hospital in the long term.
In particular the Trust cannot provide the 24/7 paediatric input that would normally be expected in a consultant-led unit.
He said: "I want to acknowledge the dedication of staff at Lagan Valley maternity unit. As so many mothers will confirm, the staff in this unit provide high quality care in a friendly and welcoming environment and will continue to do so in the future."
See: Maternity Care 'Crisis' Alert In Craiavon
(BMcC/JM)
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02 February 2011
Lagan Valley Midwifery Unit Welcomed
A new midwifery led unit has opened its doors at Lagan Valley hospital in Co Antrim.
Lagan Valley Midwifery Unit Welcomed
A new midwifery led unit has opened its doors at Lagan Valley hospital in Co Antrim.
08 May 2008
Midwives To Lead Downpatrick Birth Unit
An innovative approach to maternity care in Co Down has seen the announcement of a midwifery led maternity unit. The facility - in Downpatrick - will be run by midwives without the help of doctors and will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. It will open next autumn as part of the new £60 million Downe hospital.
Midwives To Lead Downpatrick Birth Unit
An innovative approach to maternity care in Co Down has seen the announcement of a midwifery led maternity unit. The facility - in Downpatrick - will be run by midwives without the help of doctors and will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. It will open next autumn as part of the new £60 million Downe hospital.
24 October 2007
Arrival Of New Maternity Unit At Ulster Hospital Celebrated
The £13 million Maternity Unit at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, has been officially opened by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. 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.
Arrival Of New Maternity Unit At Ulster Hospital Celebrated
The £13 million Maternity Unit at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, has been officially opened by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. 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.
25 June 2001
BELFAST MATERNITY UNIT CONSULTATION ANNOUNCED
THE Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Bairbre de Brún, announced on Monday details of a new process she has set up to help her decide on the future site of a new maternity facility in Belfast.
BELFAST MATERNITY UNIT CONSULTATION ANNOUNCED
THE Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Bairbre de Brún, announced on Monday details of a new process she has set up to help her decide on the future site of a new maternity facility in Belfast.
19 May 2003
Hospital modernisation needs further development
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne has today called on the Chairmen of the four Health and Social Services Boards to develop their local plans for the modernisation of hospital services following his announcement on ‘Developing Better Services’ in February.
Hospital modernisation needs further development
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne has today called on the Chairmen of the four Health and Social Services Boards to develop their local plans for the modernisation of hospital services following his announcement on ‘Developing Better Services’ in February.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
