Eastbourne and Willingdon MP Caroline Ansell today welcomed news that the town’s midwife-led unit will reopen on 6th July.
The facility at the DGH was closed on 30th March when South East Coast Ambulance Service emergency transfers to Conquest's consultant-led unit couldn't be guaranteed due to the public health crisis.
The space was marshalled for a potential influx of high dependency care COVID-19 patients and subsequently, designated as a green (infection free) surgical ward as part of East Sussex Hospitals Trust’s pandemic response.
Caroline received correspondence from local people concerned the unit might not come back and she has been in touch with the trust and the Department for Health over the matter.
“I am very pleased to have been told this unit will reopen next Monday and this is brilliant news for Eastbourne’s parents-to-be,” said Caroline.
“We all understood the temporary change as necessary back in March but it is hugely important that mums have choice over their delivery and that babies can be born in our home town.
“It won’t have been easy for mothers to change their plans and to travel to Conquest but this is coming to an end and quicker than I thought.
“It’s been difficult that home births in the town were also cancelled due to Covid, although these are also now back and we had our first home birth for several months just a few days ago.
“I must thank our Midwifery team for the way they have cared for expectant mums and for going above and beyond to facilitate this return and to the Hospital Trust also.”
“I know the town is grateful for their work and for the work of all its amazing staff.”
END
