19 October 2010
A brand new maternity assessment unit which offers advice, support and monitoring for mothers-to-be, and in particular women with complicated pregnancies and conditions such as diabetes and a history of miscarriages, has opened at Epsom Hospital.
The unit, which costs almost £100,000 a year to run, is more responsive to the needs of mothers-to-be by providing a same-day service for them to see a midwife. It also allows the hospital's existing delivery and antenatal units to concentrate on providing the best possible care to women in their particular specialist areas.
Midwife Rachel Ellison, who is the lead midwife for the maternity assessment unit, said: "Most women have uncomplicated pregnancies. However, some need a little extra support. This includes women with existing health problems, such as diabetes, or those who have had problems during previous pregnancies.
"The service also includes a telephone support line for mothers-to-be and GPs which provides specialist advice to help assess if they need to be referred to one of our maternity services, or whether they can be looked after by their GP. The support line is staffed by midwives and clinicians.
"Previously when a GP believed that a mother-to-be needed to see one of our hospital specialists for tests or monitoring they had to make an appointment in a few days time. Now, with our same-day service, we can help expectant mothers more quickly without necessarily using the increasingly busy labour ward or antenatal clinic facilities."
Katy Ammar, lead consultant for the maternity assessment unit, said "The new unit means that mothers-to-be are seen much more quickly than was previously the case. There is also greater continuity of care, with women usually seeing the same midwife each time they visit."
The maternity assessment unit advice and appointment line is open from 8.30am to 7.00pm, Monday to Friday on 01372 735 264.
