Birthing centre reopens after £300k upgrade

MUSGROVE Park Hospital has reopened its birthing centre following a £300,000 upgrade.

The work to the Bracken Birthing Centre was funded by Toad Trail fundraising campaign run by the hospital’s League of Friends last summer. The Toad Trail raised £50,000 with a further £250,000 coming from legacy donations left to the League of Friends for the benefit of patients.

The birthing centre upgrade is part of the ambitious 2030 programme to transform the hospital.

Musgrove 2030 will include a new maternity and children’s building and further development of its cancer and emergency services. This is in addition to a new surgical centre, acute assessment hub, therapies department and maternity refurbishments at the hospital, which are underway.

Philippa Quinn, sister responsible for Bracken Birthing Centre, said: “This is a really exciting time for Musgrove Park Hospital and we are delighted to be able to open our fantastic new birthing centre, which will provide a comfortable, modern feel for parents-to-be in Somerset.

“Bracken is a very popular birthing centre and we bring over 500 babies from across Somerset into the world every year.

“But this meant we were experiencing a huge demand, particularly given many women told us they felt anxious that they might miss out on a water birth as we only had one pool at the centre.

“We listened to this feedback and set out to create more choice for women in the area by adding another birthing pool. We have also been able to completely refurbish the centre, giving women and their families a better experience in a more homely environment.”