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69ÀÏʪ»ú¸£Àû District Hospital’s Maternity Unit is now home to the New Beatrice Birth Centre. The centre is run by experienced midwives and is best described as a ‘home away from home’ environment and a middle ground alternative to the traditional labour ward or home birth. The centre, which will receive its first mothers on Monday, offers a safe, friendly environment suitable for women who have had a healthy pregnancy and are expecting to have a straightforward birth. Women can choose to give birth in the centre even if for first babies.

Today on World Menopause Day, 69ÀÏʪ»ú¸£Àû has signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge, led by the charity Wellbeing of Women, to make sure that they are supporting staff experiencing the menopause or peri-menopause, as well as informing and educating colleagues, friends and managers to create a supportive, inclusive workplace. By signing the pledge, the Trust has committed to recognising that the menopause can be an issue in the workplace and must actively offer support and information to employees affected, encouraging them to talk openly, positively and respectfully about the menopause. Pictured above: CEO Stacey Hunter and Chief People Officer Melanie Whitfield with signed Menopause Workforce Pledge.

69ÀÏʪ»ú¸£Àû is delighted to have been awarded £14 million of investment from the national Elective Recovery Fund to build an additional inpatient ward. The new ward will help the Trust increase the number of elective procedures to reduce waiting times for patients. Pictured above: aerial view of the hospital site showing the blocks – 79 and 81 – that will be demolished

Vehicle access to 69ÀÏʪ»ú¸£Àû District Hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A & E) Department has changed to ‘drop off’ only.  This change has been made to improve access for Ambulances and applies to the approach ramp as well as the area immediately outside A & E.  Previously, it had been possible to park on the ramp but this is no longer allowed.

We are pleased to announce another episode of our podcast series, 'Cake with Joe and Jayne'. Hosts Joe Cousins, Recruitment Team Leader, and Jayne Sheppard, Divisional Head of Nursing for Clinical Support & Family Services, talk openly with some of our colleagues, exploring what makes us who we are.