The funding boost was announced today. File picture: PA Wire

London hospital maternity units to receive cash boost

Luke Jacobs Thursday, January 24, 2013
12:26 PM

Twenty London hospitals are to receive extra government funding to improve their maternity units.

Hospitals to receive funding (amount in bold)

Chelsea & Westminster £274,000

Ealing Hospital £301,000

Epsom Hospital £318,000

Hillingdon Hospital £741,000

Homerton Hospital £348,710

Kingston Hospital £219,000

Croydon Healthcare £309,000

Newham University Hospital £19,000

Northwick Park & St Marks Hospital £168,000

Princess Royal Hospital, Bromley £52,000

Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital £70,000

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich £400,000

Queen’s Hospital, Romford £181,000

St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington £300,000

Royal Free, Hampstead £251,000

Royal London Hospital £495,000

St Georges Hospital, Tooting £49,000

St Helier Hospital £177,000

West Middlesex University Hospital £210,000

Whittington Hospital £750,000

More than £5.6 million will be shared among trusts who successfully applied last November to the Department of Health for the financial boost.

The cash will go towards projects including birthing pools, new midwife-led units, more en-suite facilities, and better bereavement spaces in the case of a death or a stillborn baby.

Health Minister Dan Poulter said: “A new arrival in the family is a joyous time but it can present a real challenge for mums and families, particularly those experiencing it for the first time.

“We are now going to see huge improvements to maternity services right across the country, from birthing pools to family rooms and even new midwifery-led units.

“These will make a big difference to the experience mums and families have of NHS maternity services, with more choice and a better environment where women can give birth.”

Hospitals which applied for the funding had to produce evidence that parents wanted the changes. A total of £25m has been distributed to trusts across the country.

Other improvements include equipment that gives expectant mothers more freedom to move around and change position while in labour and facilities that allow women to choose if they want a bath or shower.

Bids were judged by a panel that included experts from the Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Cathy Warwick, chief executive of The Royal College of Midwives’, said: “Dozens of new birthing pools, eight new midwife-led units, more en suite facilities in dozens of units, and lots more besides.

“It is great to learn about the positive changes that this extra £25m will make to many units up and down the country.”