Midwife appointments introduced in Plymouth

New Mums will soon be able to choose their appointment if they need to see a Midwife at the weekend in the days after giving birth. The Maternity Department has plans for a new service based at Derriford Hospital.

The new system, which is due to be launched at the end of October, will mean that new Mums will be able to organise seeing a Midwife at a time that is convenient to them.

Claire Collinson, Community Midwifery Manager, explained: “We will be opening up Derriford’s Day Assessment Ward at weekends for families to come in and be seen on an appointment basis. This will enable a choice of designated, convenient times, rather than having to wait in at home all day for a midwife to attend.

“It also means we are able to offer a familiar environment; most will know where to come as they will have attended Level 6 for their scan appointments. The convenience of being ‘on site’ extends to the support services that the Midwife will have available to her, for example if a medical opinion is required.

“A midwife will contact you when you are initially discharged home, usually the day after your discharge, just as they do now. During this conversation he or she will assess your suitability to attend this new facility. Existing weekend provision at Liskeard Hospital will continue in the same way as it does currently. “

Midwives will no longer be at the children’s centres at weekends, instead they will be on site at the hospital.