Mums-to-be in Halstead can once again give birth at an “on demand” birthing unit after it was temporarily closed in March.
The decision by Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust means mums at low risk can give birth at Halstead Birthing Centre but high risk cases will still need to be transferred 14 miles away to Colchester General Hospital.
Midwives can open the unit, based at Halstead Hospital in Hedingham Road, at any time of day while running ante-natal clinics as normal.
If a woman goes into labour at night, she can contact an on-call midwife and choose between the birthing unit, a home birth or the Juno Suite at Colchester General Hospital.
For the full story, see this week's Halstead Gazette.
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