The Midwife Unit at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital (AMH) has relocated into Labour Ward, following a leak and water damage to rooms in the unit. The staff team will work in a dedicated space within Labour Ward, offering the same high standard of midwife-led care. 

It is not possible to move the birthing pool in the unit into Labour Ward, therefore it will be unavailable until the work is completed 

Liz Cheung, interim Associate Chief Midwife, said: “I - and the whole team – take supporting choice during birth extremely seriously and we are disappointed to not be able to offer a birthing pool at AMH at present. However, the safety of patients and staff is our top priority. We are working closely with our colleagues in Facilities & Estates to ensure the repairs required can be made as quickly as possible. Anyone approaching their due date, with plans to give birth in the Midwife Unit, should be assured the team will continue to provide the same care in their temporary home within Labour Ward.” 

Anyone who needs to contact the Midwife Unit should do via the Triage Telephone Service on 01224 558855. 

Repair work will involve erecting a tent in the internal courtyard next to the Midwife Unit. This is to ensure dust and debris is contained and means it will not be necessary to enforce window closures at AMH. No concerns have been raised about either water or air quality following this incident. It is anticipated the repair work will take approximately 6 weeks. 

Liz added: “I want to express my thanks to everyone working at AMH. The whole team has come together, to support those working in the Midwife Unit, and to ensure services run as smoothly as they can. I am very grateful to all staff for their efforts to date.”  

The Midwife Unit at AMH has two birthing rooms and two postnatal rooms. Approximately 30 babies per month are born there.