FRIDAY, 20 MARCH, 2020

Immediate release

COVID-19 : Tayside maternity services changes

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact on NHS Tayside staffing resources NHS Tayside has taken the decision to temporarily reduce the number of midwife led birthing units in Tayside from three to one.

This means that:

• all women in Tayside will give birth at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, either at the Dundee Midwifery Unit or in the Labour Suite.

• Labour and birthing at community maternity units at Perth Royal Infirmary and Arbroath Infirmary will not be available.

• Women who are planning a home birth and are due soon will birth in the Dundee Midwifery Unit

We understand that this decision may upset women and their families but we have taken this decision as it has become increasingly difficult to staff the three site community maternity model of care at this challenging time for health services across the country.

Lead Midwife Lesley Sharkey, said, “We understand that women and families will have many questions regarding the place of birth choice being altered and we want to reassure them that they will be warmly welcomed into our Dundee Midwifery Unit at Ninewells by the team of midwives.

“Midwives who would normally work within the Community Maternity Units at PRI and Arbroath Infirmary will now be available in the Dundee Maternity Unit. This will allow us to support all Tayside women in labour whilst also prioritising the key antenatal and postnatal contacts to keep women and their babies safe and healthy at this time.

“This temporary change to community maternity services is being reviewed on a regular basis and when we are able to re-introduce these community maternity services at Perth and Arbroath, midwives will contact women to let them know.

“We understand this is a worrying time for people who are expecting or have recently had their baby and we would encourage women and their families if they have any further questions regarding these changes please do not hesitate to contact your midwife.

“We would like to thank the public for their support and understanding regarding some of the changes which are ongoing in our maternity services at present. All our midwives are working very hard and are absolutely committed to continuing to provide a high quality patient-centred maternity service.”

• Women in labour should phone maternity triage on 01382 632075 and let the midwife know that they plan to birth in the Dundee Midwifery Unit.

For further information about the Dundee Midwifery Unit, including directions and parking, can be found here: https://www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/OurServicesAZ/MaternityServices/PROD_271809/index.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHElHYHLwYQ

Contact:

Anna Michie

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138