Community midwives have thanked the volunteers who have donated £11,000 worth of equipment to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
King’s Lynn Hospitals’ League of Friends have provided Sonic-aids and weighing scales to the Midwives who are providing the Home Birth Service for pregnant women in West Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and South Lincolnshire.
Earlier this year, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital launched the Midwife- Led Pathway, which includes the Home Birth Service, to provide more choice to expectant mothers, along with The Waterlily Birth Centre.
Head of Women’s and Children’s Services Lesley Deacon along with Midwifery manager Stephanie Pease and a team of community midwives have thanked the League of Friends during a small tea party.
Ms Deacon said: “We are incredibly grateful to the League of Friends for their support and for this equipment. Without it, we would not be able to provide the efficient service by our community midwives.
“Our aim is to give expectant mums greater choice of where they have their babies, be at home, in the ambient atmosphere of Waterlily or in our Central Delivery Suite.
“We would like to thank the League of Friends, including the dedicated volunteers who spend hours manning the Hospital shop, for their generosity and support.”
An additional 10 sets of weighing scales and 12 sonic-aids have been purchased for the team of community midwives.
The sonic aids are used by midwives to listen to the baby’s heart beat during antenatal checks and also complete 15 minutes observations of the baby’s heart beat during labour.
The League of Friends raises around £80,000 each year to buy additional equipment for the Hospital.
Carol Crake, secretary for the League of Friends, said: “It is good to know that money we have raised for equipment is going to support such a worthwhile service.
“We would not be able to do what we do without the generosity of the people in the community, who provide donations of money and time.
“I would like to thank everyone who supports the League of Friends in any way possible.”
Over the last 18 months, the Hospital’s maternity department has been boosted by a series of developments, including the launch of the Midwife Led Pathway and the creation of the £600,000 Midwife Led Waterlily Birth Centre. The centre, with its specially designed birthing pools, has recently delivered its 500th baby.
– If you would like to learn more about the Midwife Led Pathway and Waterlily Birth Centre contact 01553 214903.
– If you would like to support the League of Friends contact Chairman Tom Greenacre on 01553 842258.
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Head of Women’s and Children’s Services Lesley Deacon with Midwifery Manager Stephanie Pease and League of Friends Secretary Carol Crake (Picture: Victoria Fear)
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