Work has begun linking the Maternity Postnatal Wards to the new Midwifery-Led Unit as part of the £1.6m Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Maternity Services refurbishment.  The Trust worked closely with Walsall Maternity Voices Partnership prior to this work being started.

    "We`re thrilled to be making these improvements" said Leanne O`Flaherty, Maternity Inpatient Matron "within Maternity but the next few weeks will create some disruption for women using our services and we apologise in advance.  The environment will be a little noisier than usual and we will be relocating the Ward Clerk desk.  We will do all we can to minimise the disruption but we`d like to thank women and families for their patience and understanding as this vital element of the work takes place".  

  The relocation follows feedback from families who said they wanted access to an onside Midwifery-Led Unit.  The refurbishment also includes the relocation of the bereavement suite to create an enhanced environment for parents who have suffered a loss.

  Being within the Maternity Unit means that women and babies who may have complications as their labour and birth progress have rapid access to staff who are able to support urgent care. 

     "We are so excited about the opportunities and choices this relocation opens up for the families in Walsall" said Carla Jones-Charles, Director of Midwifery, Gynaecology and Sexual health at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.  "The Maternity Voices Partnership has been extremely supportive, too and together we are now carrying out a period of further listening and engagement with our communities so that we can be sure their involvement is helping us to shape and enhance the services we offer".    

The new Midwifery-Led Unit will expand the size of the birthing rooms and offer additional features such as an area for women to have refreshments.  

    "We will be making a survey available soon" said Samantha Thompson, Chair of Maternity Voices Partnership "and we will be seeking feedback and suggestions from various groups in our communities.  While the Maternity Voices Partnership supports this relocation and the opportunities that it will bring to our families, following feedback that we have received over previous years we are also keen to reach out to as many people as possible to consider their views so that we are truly working together on Maternity Services provision in Walsall".