Baroness visits Portsmouth as Trust launches ‘Choice in Childbirth’ campaign

The woman whose work led to a revolution in the way childbirth choices are offered has seen first hand the wide range of choices on offer to women cared for by Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Trust was delighted to welcome Baroness Julia Cumberlege to the Grange Maternity Centre, at Petersfield Hospital, on Thursday 23 April. Baroness Cumberlege’s visit coincided with the launch of an information campaign to promote awareness of the services provided by the Trust. Leaflets, posters, a new website and a welcome brochure have been produced to highlight the large number of choices provided by Portsmouth Hospitals to new and expectant parents. By the end of 2009, the Trust will be one of the most flexible maternity care providers in the whole of the country with six choices of place to give birth:

at home, supported by midwives
Blake Maternity Centre, Gosport (midwife-led care)
Grange Maternity Centre, Petersfield (midwife-led care)
new maternity centre, Queen Alexandra Hospital (midwife-led care, opens July 2009)
new maternity department, Queen Alexandra Hospital (consultant-led care, opens July 2009)
midwife-led maternity unit, St Mary’s Hospital (opens November 2009)

Baroness Cumberlege is best known for leading the Department of Health ‘Changing Childbirth’ task force to review maternity services in 1993. Since the Changing Childbirth report, providers of midwifery services have been striving to promote choice, continuity and control for mothers.

Donna Ockenden, Head of Midwifery, said:

“It has been an honour to welcome Baroness Cumberlege to the Grange, to see for herself the progress we have made in provision of birth choices here at the Trust. We are delighted that she is visiting at a time when we are launching our new birth choice awareness campaign. This campaign clearly demonstrates our commitment to promoting and offering the best possible care to mothers to be, mothers, babies and their families.”

Sarah Roberts, local campaigner for the Grange Maternity Centre, said:

“The choices and facilities for new parents and their families in our local area are excellent. Baroness Cumberledge is visiting the Trust at a time when maternity care is very family centred and can be tailored to each family’s individual needs.”

To hear Baroness Cumberlege speak about the Trust's services click here