We hope the information provided is helpful to you, please to not hesitate to ask the staff any other questions you may have. On arrival you should be allocated a named midwife who will be responsible for your care through their shift. Please ensure you know who your named midwife is. New named midwives will introduce themselves at the start of every shift.

We are a 27 bed ward, caring for both postnatal and antenatal inpatients. We have a combination of bays and side rooms. A call bell is available at your bedside and can be used to call for assistance at any time of the day or night.

In order to ensure the safety of our patients we ask that you keep the curtains open at all times unless undressing/breastfeeding etc. This helps staff to monitor the wellbeing, safety and security of all mothers and babies on the ward. This also ensures that the ward benefits from natural light, which improves the environment for all.

Thank you for your co-operation

Staffing & Security

The safety of our patients and their babies is our main priority. The doors of the ward are always locked and can only be opened by members of staff. Please do not let other people in or allow them to tailgate behind you. All hospital staff will be wearing an identity badge, please challenge any member of staff whose ID is not visible to you.

Identifying staff

Ward Manager/Deputy Ward Manager (Navy blue)

Midwives (Blue & white striped tunic)

Maternity Assistants/ Maternity Support Workers (Lilac & white striped tunic)

Housekeepers (Light lilac tunic)

Ward clerk (Shirt/blouse)

Domestics (Dark lilac tunic)

Student midwives (Grey tunics)

Hearing screeners (Green scrubs)

Smoking policy

The hospital is no smoking zone and we ask that patients and visitors not to smoke anywhere inside the hospital or outside, particularly at the entrance to the Women & Children’s building and General Wing.

Fire Safety

If you discover a fire please tell a member of staff immediately.

Fire alarm systems are tested on a Wednesday at 11am. In the event of a fire, please follow the advice and instructions given by hospital staff.

We ask all visitors to sign in and out of the ward so we can keep everyone safe and accounted for in the event of a fire. The sign in book is located at the main ward station.

Visiting times

One birthing partner and patients own children only between 7:30am to 10pm.

Other Visitors are welcome between 12:30pm and 3:30pm and 5:30pm and 7:30pm.

We do ask that only 2 adults visit the bedside at the same time (including birth partner).

Mealtimes

Breakfast 7.30am to 08.00am

Lunch 11.45 to 12.30pm

Evening meal 5.15pm to 6.15pm

All are provided from the meal trolley and eaten at you bedside

We also have regular rounds with our hot drinks trolley and can provide snacks such as fruit, crisps and biscuits. The hot drinks trolley is available for you to make your own hot drinks too. Please ask staff if you need any refreshments or fresh water and inform us of any dietary requirements you may have. Toast and sandwiches are always available and there are vending machines on the ground floor. We have a patient fridge, please ensure any items are labelled with your name and date. We regret that we are unable to heat any food e.g. microwave meals due to health and safety.

Transitional and neonatal care

- Going home

-Registering your baby's birth

-Newborn physical examination - looking at your baby's heart, eye, hips, and testicles (balls)

-Looking at your baby's hearing

-Newborn bloodspot tests

- Postpartum maternal health

-Caring for your baby

-Feeding your baby

A midwife will visit you at home the day after discharge between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Please call the community midwives office if you haven't had a visit by 4pm.

You will also have a further routine visit or phone call on the second day you are home.

You will receive further visits from the maternity team on day 5 and day 10-14.

You can request a visit at any other time. You can also call the maternity team at any time with questions about your own wellbeing, baby's wellbeing or if you need support with feeding your baby.

Please register your baby with your GP as soon as possible.

Useful numbers:

8:30am-6pm everyday:

Community midwives Office - 01244 365166

8:30am-4:30pm Monday - Saturday:

Infant feeding Team - 01244 365401.

24hrs a day:

Maternity Triage - 01244 365806

24hrs a day:

Cestrian ward - 01244 365178