The multi-million pound new maternity unit at Hexham General Hospital was formally opened by four new mums and hospital bosses on Thursday - with the new mums gushing about a unit they think "will do amazing things for Hexham".
Suzanne Speed, Helen Hunter, Tori Rutherford and Sophie Westgarth were all at the event to mark the new unit's opening - and all said they were wowed by facilities which would enable the "absolutely brilliant" staff team to work their magic on new mums and mums-to-be. The unit features en-suite rooms and even a state-of-the-art birthing pool with Bluetooth speakers and mood lighting.
The new unit's development forms part of a masterplan for the redevelopment of the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust's facilities across Hexham, North Tyneside and Wansbeck hospitals. The investment programme at Hexham will also see a new purpose-built endoscopy unit and an expansion of the surgical theatres on-site, aiding the national NHS push to deal with surgery backlogs.
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Across the trust bosses are spending £326m to transform facilities, boost capacity and keep waiting lists down.
At the opening in Northumberland, Suzanne, 33, told ChronicleLive about her experience and why she was impressed with the new unit. She gave birth to her son Harley just 16 days ago and helped to open the new unit, even though - like three other recent mums present - she had missed out on using the brand new facilities by days.
"Harley was due on the 18th and they were closing the old unit on the 20th, but he came early. The staff were brilliant. They did everything we could have asked for," she said. "Now this new unit here is lovely, with the birthing pool especially looking really calming. I'd definitely recommend it to other people!"
Helen Hunter, whose little one Jacob is five weeks old, added: "My experience was amazing. I'm from Newcastle but transferred my care here because I had heard such good things about the staff here. Everyone here is incredible. They welcome you with open arms."
She added that having seen the new unit, her verdict was simple: "I wouldn't hesitate to come back."
Tori Rutherford, who has given birth to three children at the hospital, also said she felt the new facilities were incredible. She said: "It really looks amazing - though I'm a little sad to see the old unit go, as that's where my children were born! But what makes it is the staff, and I can't put it into words how amazing they are. "This is such a wonderful place and will be great for the team here."
Haydon Bridge mum Sophie Westgarth, who had little Reuben Telfer 12 weeks ago, added: "I had all my care here and it was amazing, though I had to give birth at Northumbria. It's so lovely here, the staff are just amazing. They're friendly, caring and really look after you.
"It's an amazing unit, even makes me think about having another one! It'll do amazing things for Hexham."
Marion Dickson the trust's executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, spoke to formally open the unit. She said the maternity team had played a key role in designing a unit which met their needs.
She said: "The team have done a fantastic job here. It's been part of a much wider package of work within the hospital for the people of Hexham and the surrounding area. We are doing the work in three phases, the first of which was to look at what we needed to have in terms of maternity here.
"In particular, thanks to all of our management teams, nursing and midwifery teams and our estates team for their hard work over the planning process. It's been a real team effort.
"It's not just about the midwives, it's also the maternity support team we have here. And what everyone will always say is that there's a real personal touch."
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