Minister’s praise for staff as new midwifery unit officially opened

The unit will provide a service for women undergoing straightforward pregnancy in their local community throughout the antenatal, delivery and postnatal period.

Mr McGimpsey said: “The opening of this newly refurbished midwifery led unit is good news for local women and follows on from the success of the similar unit in Downpatrick. It offers a new choice for women with low risk pregnancies where they can give birth in a ‘home from home’ environment led by skilled midwives whom they have come to know.”

He went on to say: “The fact that the unit has already seen so many births since it opened five weeks ago is a mark of the popularity of this type of unit for women with a straightforward pregnancy. I have been so impressed by the hard work and commitment of the midwives here at Lagan Valley.”

During his visit the Minister also praised the obstetricians who had been in Lagan Valley for their support in establishing the unit and the GPs from the area for their support in recommending this choice to local women.

Councillor William Leathem, Chairman of Lisburn City Council’s Corporate Services Committee, also welcomed the new unit.

“The Council ran a campaign to retain a full Obstetrics Service at the hospital but unfortunately this was not possible” he said. “However, the Council welcomes the investment by the Department of Health and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in ensuring that a quality maternity service is available to its ratepayers through this new Midwifery-led Unit.”

Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea also welcomed the unit. “It is a testament to the staff at this hospital that we are now able to provide this service,” he said. “I am glad that we are able to extend and modernise our local health provision despite the current economic situation.”

The new unit will have the capacity to deal with 150 births this year, rising to 500 over the next few years. To date, 30 babies have been delivered.

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