Rebirth of Maternity - multi-million pound scheme launched by the Rt Hon Stephen Timms
8 March 2010Work on Newham University Hospital NHS Trust’s £17.5 million new Maternity and Newborn redevelopment was officially launched on Friday, with the help of the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP.
Mr Timms, Member of Parliament for East Ham, knocked a brick out of a wall and turned some soil to mark the start of building works on the ambitious and eagerly-awaited scheme that will ensure the provision of first-class services to the ever-increasing number of women and babies the Trust serves.
Mr Timms viewed plans, and was briefed on the development by Trust staff and representatives from building partners Medicinq Osborne. The MP was also taken on a tour of the area that will be totally transformed and where building work has now begun, as well as a tour of the existing Maternity Unit. Mr Timms was joined by Trust Directors and other representatives of the Women’s and Family Health and Site Development Departments at the celebratory event.
The scheme to redesign and expand the Trust’s Maternity and Newborn Services will accommodate up to 6,500 births per year – 1,000 more than currently. It is vitally needed, as for a number of years, Newham has had one of the highest birth rates in the country. An average of 430 babies are born at the Trust each month. There was a massive 5,308 births in 2008 and the Trust saw the highest number of births in one month for several years in October 2009 with 471 babies being born.
The development will ensure that the Trust has a Maternity Unit equipped with state-of-the art facilities, whilst ensuring that the dignity and privacy of the women which we serve will be significantly enhanced and improved. The scheme allows for future growth too, with an option for Phase Two expected to deliver provision for up to 7,500 births per year, and Phase Three creating capacity for up to 9,000. The revamp will ensure another significant section of the main hospital building is as efficient and as fit-for-purpose as is possible.
The Trust, working with partners Medicinq Osborne, aims to provide a space which ensures that all women who choose to deliver their child here have a very positive experience of the Trust, its buildings and staff. The rolling programme of work will last for almost two years. £6.5 million of the funding for the redevelopment is being made available by the Department of Health.
A community consultation around the proposed rebuild was held. Women who had given birth in the previous five years were targeted, as were family members. Consultation events took place around the borough. Nearly 500 people responded to the survey and seven focus groups were held. Staff were involved throughout the planning too.
Michaela Morris, Newham University Hospital NHS Trust’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are absolutely delighted that building work on this fantastic new Unit has now begun, and that the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, who is a big supporter of our Trust, launched the start of the redevelopment. Mr Timms has asked to be invited back to review progress. The rebuild is very exciting for everyone at the Trust and will see us offering sector-leading and state-of-the-art facilities and care to our local community. We look forward to delivering a Maternity and Newborn Unit which will set it out as being an exemplar in its field.”
The Rt. Hon. Stephen Timms MP said: “I am delighted to have been given the honour of ceremonially starting the building work on the new Maternity and Newborn Unit. The improvements in health services in Newham as a result of sustained investment in the NHS by this government are already clearly visible. This new Unit will add to Newham University Hospital NHS Trust’s emerging record of excellence, and signals a bright future for mothers and babies in Newham. I will be keeping a close eye on its development.”
Andrew Osborne, of Medicinq Osborne, said: “This is a great step towards better healthcare for Newham residents. The new Maternity and Newborn Unit will modernise maternity facilities, double neonatal space, and enhance emergency gynaecology and early-pregnancy services. Medicinq Osborne is proud to be part of the team delivering these improvements.”
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