Public invited to hear about maternity improvements to celebrate Midwives’ Day

Mums, families and staff are being invited to celebrate the International Day of the Midwife from 2pm to 3.30pm on Friday 4th May in the Benjamin Gooch Lecture Theatre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

There will be tea and cake with the midwives from 2pm followed by talks in the lecture theatre from 2.30pm to 3.30pm with Dr David Booth, Consultant Neonatologist and Frances Bolger, Acting Director of Nursing.  Free parking will be provided for those attending the event.

Ann Walker, Acting Head of Midwifery, says:  “We are inviting patients and families to celebrate with us and hear more about the improvements we are making for mums and babies.  We are working closely with our nearest Trusts to improve maternity services across the region which is very exciting.

“Locally a new  Maternity assessment unit has just been opened which allows women to be monitored during pregnancy without being admitted to hospital.  This will enable us to reassure women and identify any potential problems without the need for an overnight stay.

“We have also developed an online referral system so that women can self refer to the midwifery service from six weeks of pregnancy.  A community IT project has been rolled out so that our community midwives have access to all the most up to date guidelines and policies, and can input care episodes directly onto the maternity care system.

“We have also introduced  the option of free fetal DNA testing in pregnancy to determine whether or not women require an anti D injection.  These are just a few of improvements we have made to enhance the experience of women using our services.”

Louise Cook  Fundraising Manager said:  “The N&N Hospitals charity is delighted to have supported the changes which are happening to our maternity service.

“The charity has funded the new maternity assessment unit which improves facilities to create better environments for mums-to-be and their babies. Projects like these which make a huge difference to our patients and the people who use our hospitals.’’

Members of the public are welcome to come along to the event – there is no need to book.  For more information, email communications@nnuh.nhs.uk