A NEW ‘one stop shop’ for antenatal and postnatal services has been opened at Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said mums-to-be in Wyre Forest will be able to access all the services throughout their pregnancy and afterwards under one roof for the first time.

The development of the ‘Maternity Hub’ allows community midwives, scanning midwives, antenatal clinic midwives, consultants and specialist advisors to work together, referring women into each other’s services on the same day – and often within a few hours.

Karen Chapman, Maternity Hub Team Leader, said: “The Maternity Hub opened in November and we are gradually expanding what we can offer.

“The developments are in line with the recommendations laid out in NHS England’s Better Births document which sets out a vision for a modern maternity service that delivers safer, more personalised care for all women and every baby.

“We are already hearing really positive things from our parents-to-be – the overwhelming benefit is that they can now access services in one place and often in one visit which is much more convenient.”

Mum-to-be Rebecca Phillips, who is nearing the end of her pregnancy, said she had found it much easier having all of her appointments in one place.

She said: “Previously I was attending my clinic appointments at two different children’s centres and then having to come to the hospital for scans.

“Being able to just come to the hub and know that, should I need any further tests or scans I can just go across the corridor on the same day, is really convenient.”

Community Midwife Maria Birt added: “We have really noticed the difference – we’re not spending as much time on the phone trying to sort out follow up appointments for other services.

“We can just talk to our colleagues within the hub and get things sorted out there and then – it’s great for the mums-to-be.”

Kidderminster Hospital League of Friends has also donated a new Wendy House and other children’s activities to make the hub more child friendly.

If the Maternity Hub model proves successful the Trust hopes to roll the model out countywide.