Launch of Angus homebirth service

18-05-16 Launch of Angus homebirth service

WEDNESDAY 18 MAY, 2016

PHOTO ATTACHED OF L-R JUSTINE CRAIG, HEAD OF MIDWIFERY FOR NHS TAYSIDE, PROFESSOR LESLEY PAGE CBE, PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES, AND PAULA EWEN AND JILLIAN STRACHAN, MIDWIVES IN THE ANGUS HOMEBIRTH SERVICE

Launch of Angus Homebirth Service

The first dedicated homebirth service in Tayside was officially launched by Professor Lesley Page CBE, President of the Royal College of Midwives.

The service was launched at an event with an audience of mums-to-be, family members and midwives.


NHS Tayside’s Head of Midwifery Justine Craig said, “We’re delighted to launch this new pilot service today which provides more choice for women in Angus about where they would like to give birth.

“Clinical evidence shows that homebirth is as safe an option as hospital for women who have previously had a normal birth and who have had a straightforward pregnancy.

“Giving birth at home in private and familiar surroundings can promote feelings of calmness, allows families to stay together and means women can remain comfortable at home rather than journey to the hospital in labour.

“We hope that this new dedicated service will encourage women who have had a baby before, and who do not have any medical complications, to consider homebirth.”


Homebirth is currently offered across Tayside as part of community midwifery rather than by a dedicated team.  If the new service is successful, it will be introduced across Tayside.


For more information about homebirth, please contact Montrose Maternity Unit on 01674 623401 or email paulaewen@nhs.net or jillian.strachan1@nhs.net

Contact:

Gaynyr Dickson

NHS Tayside Communications

01382 740716

gaynyr.dickson@nhs.net

18 May 2016