£1m birth unit to open fully after catalogue of delays

Critics say the new Midwifery-Led Unit (MLU) at Scarborough Hospital had been due to open last year.

It opened to expectant mothers in February, but only on a part-time basis, and remained closed from Thursday to Sunday because of staffing shortages.

It will now be officially opened on May 3, and all midwifery-led deliveries will be transferred to Scarborough from Bridlington, Whitby and Malton hospitals.

Former MP Robert Goodwill, who is defending his Tory seat for Whitby and Scarborough at the General Election, said: "I belatedly welcome this news but this comes after a catalogue of delays and should have been sooner.

"I think this is the latest in a long line of disappointing outcomes at Scarborough Hospital

"They shut the unit at Whitby without having the capacity to open this up fully in Scarborough.

"I hope finally expectant mothers can now get the reassurance of knowing that the unit will be available when they need it."

The new purpose-designed unit is supervised by midwives, offering natural, home-style births.

Two of the unit's three spacious rooms are equipped with a birthing pool, while all have en-suite facilities.

Unit manager Freya Oliver said: "We are delighted that this fantastic unit will be able to deliver babies at all hours from May 3.

"The opening of the unit full time also means that we now have the highest number of midwives that we have seen at the trust in recent years.

"This includes strengthening our community midwifery teams in Malton, Bridlington and Whitby to offer women increased support for home deliveries."