Countess opens revamped maternity unit

The old maternity unit has been redeveloped and now includes 12 birth rooms, four birth pools, a parent lounge and two bedded observation rooms.

Building work, which took about nine months to complete, began after a survey of mothers said there was a need to modernise the facilities.

Head of midwifery at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Linda Gustard, said: "We carried out the survey after gaining top marks in the previous Healthcare Commission report, but wanted to go a bit deeper.

"We discovered that our ladies were happy with the care but that the environment was too clinical. We came to the conclusion that a modernisation was needed and if we were going to do it then we would do it properly.

"Now we have this stunning new facility that is a real asset to the Chesterfield Royal Hospital. The standard of facilities in the new wing is superb.

"We have soundproofing, en-suite facilities, modern furnishings and a far more relaxed feel than the previous decor, that had an admittedly out-of-date and clinical appearance."

Renovation work was carried out in two phases to minimise disruption and the unit remained open to admissions throughout.

The first phase officially opened in September last year and received its first new arrival within the first three hours.

The second phase of the project, meanwhile, has also now been

completed. As well as creating the new maternity facilities, the scheme has also included rebuilding an outside courtyard area with raised flowerbeds and seating.

Ms Gustard said: "Our mothers have been very impressed with the new centre and all the feedback has been good.

"There is dedicated storage space in each room so the whole place seems brighter and much calmer to help our ladies give birth in a relatively stress-free environment. One of the biggest achievements for the staff is that the work has had minimal impact on care.

"We've not needed to divert or transfer any women in labour and the unit has not had to close to admissions."

Meanwhile, a new research facility is also set to open at the hospital on Friday, May 14. The new facility includes three offices, two clinical rooms and a lounge area and has been built after the number of clinical trials offered at the hospital increased "dramatically".