The Central Delivery Suite at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) is set to undergo a £2.5 million refurbishment in the coming weeks as the area is updated and modernised.
The works, which will begin shortly, will include a full refurbishment of the site’s birthing rooms, as well as the creation of a new reception, waiting area and Birth Centre. The refurbishment will include a fully-equipped Obstetric Observation Area to support patients with complex medical needs.
The overall budget for the project comes in at £2.5 million which includes £2 million for the redevelopments, and £500,000 for fire improvement works.
Lois Mellor, Director of Midwifery at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “This is an incredibly exciting development, and one which will only enhance the care received by mums and little ones.
“With this investment, we will be able to create a ‘Birth Centre’ at DRI, which will allow us to offer the option of Midwifery-led care to our patients, alongside the current Obstetric-led unit. Essentially this will give parents more choice, accessing a service which is like a home-from-home, with a birthing pool, whilst we will still also have the Obstetric service for those mums who need a little more support and monitoring, should they run into any difficulties.
“As the work gets started, we will be temporarily relocating the Central Delivery Suite to the ground floor of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.”
Whilst Midwifery-led Maternity services have been around for a little while, this will mark the first time this has been possible at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. If mums-to-be are fit and healthy and are expected to deliver without complication, the new area provides a more comfortable and home-like environment, with the option of a birthing pool. If mum and baby encounter any issues, they can be swiftly transferred to the Obstetric service, next door to the Birth Centre.
Dr Kirsty Edmondson Jones, Director of Strategic Estates and Facilities, said: “This latest project underlines the ambitious Capital Projects Programme we have at the Trust, and our desire to deliver the very best care and treatment, within the best setting, for our patients.
“In early 2021 the Women’s and Children’s Hospital experienced a flood, and ever since we have been undertaking repair works. It is fantastic to see our progress, and we are now able to not only recover where we were but move forward and enhance the services we offer.”
To help prepare for the refurbishment, the current location of the Central Delivery Suite and Triage will move from level six to the ground floor within the Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Monday 23rd May 2022.
The works will get under way in June and are expected to take 6 months.
In addition to the upcoming refurbishments, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals’ Charity is currently fundraising to create a specialist bereavement suite, also to be sited within the Women’s and Children’s Hospital at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Known as the ‘Serenity Appeal’ individuals can find out more, and how to donate, by heading to https://dbthcharity.co.uk/serenity-appeal/
