Web: Tel: Welcome and why we are here tonight Tonight we want to discuss how you can help implement our plans to deliver women’s and children’s services in future. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has asked us to talk with local people, midwives, doctors and nurses about how we can work together to make these services the best they can be.
Web: Tel: So what do the plans look like? Parents will have more choice about where to receive care during this special time in their lives. Mothers will be able to choose to give birth: - at home or - at a new “home from home” birthing centre at Maidstone - or at one of the maternity units at Pembury Hospital, Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham or William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. The labour ward and postnatal/antenatal care will be based at the new Pembury Hospital in 2011.
Web: Tel: Children’s services are also being improved A new children’s ward and special care baby unit will be based at the Pembury Hospital. Outpatient appointments and day surgery will be based at Maidstone Hospital. A short-stay assessment unit, open 8-8 M-F will also be at Maidstone Hospital.
Web: Tel: Let’s talk about the plans We’re talking to everyone who cares about services for women and children. This includes patients and public groups, midwives, doctors and nurses, MPs and local authorities about how we can make services the best they can be for the families of West Kent. We urge you to get involved in discussions about how to take the plans forward.
Web: Tel: A Maidstone GP’s view: “Some mothers in Maidstone will have a bit further to travel to give birth in Pembury but they will get better care as a result. The opportunity for improving care by concentrating obstetric services on one site is considerable. Everyone who has seen inside the new hospital has seen how amazing it is..” Dr Caroline Jessel, Maidstone GP and Deputy Medical Director of NHS West Kent
Web: Tel: A Maidstone midwife says: “Giving birth is a perfectly natural process and many women don’t want to give birth in hospital but want instead to be in a more homely and relaxed environment, with their family around them and supported by experienced midwives. A midwife-led birthing centre is a very safe option.. ” Gillian Duffey, a midwife at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Web: Tel: A mother’s view: “I think of the birthing centre as being a great “halfway house” between giving birth at home and in hospital.. ” Helen Treacy, a mother of two who runs the Homebirth Support Group
Web: Tel: Giving birth at a midwife-led unit: “I was very well looked after by the midwives at Canterbury and the team at Ashford,” says Jenny Brenchley of Lenham. Jenny chose Canterbury Birthing Centre for her two children. “My midwife and husband came with me in the ambulance to Ashford and that was so important. I had plenty of choices and was able to do what I felt was right for me. I’ve since recommended the birthing centre option to friends who are having babies of their own.”
Web: Tel: A paramedic's view: “It is very rare that complications in births arise while women are in our care. The right decisions are made to avoid such circumstances…” Darren Reynolds of SECAmb
Web: Tel: A children’s doctor speaks: “By having a single in-patient unit for children at the new Pembury Hospital we will really be able to create a centre of excellence. There will be single rooms for each child and a pull-down bed for parents. It has been designed to be as child friendly as possible…” Dr Charles Unter, Clinical Director of paediatrics at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Web: Tel: Get involved! If you want to have your say or take part in one of our focus groups please contact us at: or If you would like more information please visit: