Subscribe to our newsfeed 
Press Release Archives 2005
Hemel Birth Centre is Not Closing
Posted: October 11th, 2005
Contrary to a report in a local newspaper, the Trust can confirm that the Hemel Birth Centre is not closing.
A spokesperson for West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust said:
"With the help of midwives, the Maternity Services Liaison Committee, colleagues in Primary Care, members of the Patients’ Forum and Patients’ Panel, a new way of working for midwives within the birth centre has been agreed. Used by many birthing centres up and down the country, the ‘domino’ system, where a woman’s community midwife, supports her in labour, with the support of an HBU midwife, will begin on 17th October 2005.
"Over the next three months, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s maternity service will welcome 26 new midwives – many of whom were student midwives within the Trust and have chosen to remain working here.
"Last year over 5,500 women gave birth at one of the Trust’s three maternity units (the Hemel Birth Centre, Alexandra Birthing Centre and main delivery suite), as well as at home with the support of our community midwives. The Trust’s maternity service, which offers one of the widest variety of birth options in the UK, and has one of the highest water birth rates."
Ends
For further information please contact:
Eileen Whitehouse
Tel: 01442 287 684
Fax: 01442 287 687
