Article from Oxford University Hospital's website, 28 January 2014.

Click here for the original article: http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/news/article.aspx?id=193

Staff at the Wallingford Birthing Centre have been celebrating after the unit was officially re-opened on Wednesday 29 January by Cathy Warwick, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, following an extensive refurbishment.

The completed refurbishment includes:

• two new birthing pools
• additional birthing room
• ensuite facilities in two of the birthing rooms
• ensuite facility in the postnatal ward
• refurbished family room.

Cathy Warwick said: "I am delighted to be able to come to Wallingford and see the difference which the grant from the Improving Birthing Environments Capital Fund has made. It is increasingly being recognised that the right birth environment plays an important role in a woman's chances of having a normal birth.

"This funding has given the Wallingford Birthing Unit the opportunity to improve the environment to meet the needs of the local population."

Jane Hervé, Head of Midwifery at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, said:

"This refurbishment will make a massive difference to the unit and should attract more women who wish to give birth in Wallingford Midwifery-led Unit."

The Unit, which is run by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, is one of more than 100 across the country to benefit from a grant from the Department of Health's Improving Birthing Environments Capital Fund 2012.

Wallingford was awarded £350,000, which has been used to create a physical birth environment that facilitates a woman's sense of dignity and control, maximising the opportunity for staff and families to support the woman through birth and the transition into family life.

The increase in the number of pools and birthing rooms available at Wallingford helps staff to provide more choice for women in pain management and the opportunity to birth in water.

The refurbished Unit is expected to start receiving its first women from 3 February 2014.