The first babies are set to be born in Clacton’s new £1.4million new maternity unit.
A state-of-the-art birthing suite is now open at Clacton Hospital, replacing the former facilities within the Coastal Birthing Unit, which needed modernising.
Based in the new and improved maternity unit, the birthing suite is on the first floor of the main hospital building.
Amanda Price-Davey is Director of Midwifery at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs maternity services at Clacton Hospital.
She said: “We want pregnant women and people to have the best birth experience in our maternity units. We will be able to provide just that in this new, safe and modern environment.
“Where you choose to have your baby is a big decision. But the team will help expectant parents to make informed decisions about their care, so they feel confident about their pregnancy, birth and parenting their new baby.
“We are thrilled that we can offer this choice and invite eligible pregnant women and people to give birth at Clacton Hospital in our wonderful new birthing suite.”
The midwife led birthing suite is suitable for people that are considered to be at low risk of complications in labour.
Shelley Chattaway, pictured in navy below, is team leader at Clacton Maternity Unit.
Shelley said: “We are so excited and happy to support pregnant women and people in Clacton and the surrounding areas throughout this very special time of their lives and we look forward to welcoming them to our new birthing suite.”
The maternity team at Clacton Hospital moved into their new home at the end of last year.
The unit has been created as part of an extensive, £25million redevelopment of Clacton Hospital. The major site revamp has included relocating maternity services and £800,000 has been spent on building the new birthing suite.
All antenatal and postnatal outpatient care is now delivered from the new maternity unit, which is on the ground floor of Clacton Hospital and easy to access via entrance four.
The redevelopment project is being led by ESNEFT. MTX Contracts Ltd is the main contractor, while AHE Group Ltd carried out all the maternity improvements. It has been funded by ESNEFT, NHS England, NHS Property Services, Tendring District Council and NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB).
The midwife led birthing unit at Clacton Hospital is open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 5pm at weekends. An on-call service is available outside of those hours.
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