National award for Maternity Unit at West Suffolk Hospital

25 June 2003

Midwives from West Suffolk Hospital visited the House of Commons last week to receive an award from MPs for excellence in maternity care.

MPs from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity Services presented a plaque on Thursday 19^th June to Patricia Davis, Head of Midwifery, to recognise the improvements in service being made at the West Suffolk Hospital.

The award recognises those maternity units which are promoting normal births and encouraging innovation in practice. In recent years, the West Suffolk Hospital has seen the number of home births increase, achieved by establishing team midwifery and giving women real choices over place of delivery.

“The relationship between mother and midwife is important, and can go a long way to making the mother feel relaxed and confident during her pregnancy,” said Patricia Davis.  “Every midwife at the West Suffolk Hospital is excited to be part of a team which aims to provide a seamless, integrated service to the women in our care.

“This award is an excellent way of recognising our achievements and the improvements we have made to our service.

“Representative midwives from the West Suffolk Hospital travelled to Westminster last Thursday to the award presentation, which was held in the Terrace Pavilion in the House of Commons. We all felt it was a wonderful way to celebrate good practice.”