This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7952211.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Midwife-led unit 'open by 2010' Maternity units get extra funding
(about 9 hours later)
A new midwifery-led maternity unit at the Lagan Valley Hospital could be open next year. Extra money will be made available to improve maternity services across NI, the health minister has announced.
It follows last week's announcement that the birth rate in NI was at the highest it has been in 17 years.
On Wednesday, the minister said only low-risk maternity services would stay at Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn.
Michael McGimpsey said extra funding would now be found to ensure hospitals could cope with the increase in the number of babies being born.
"Particularly for the Royal (hospital) investment is going in, Craigavon investment is going in, that means that we will have extra capacity in both of those units.
"We will certainly not allow capacity to be lost in one unit without at least redressing that capacity issue in other hospitals," Mr McGimpsey said.
Unit
Meanwhile, a new midwifery-led maternity unit at the Lagan Valley Hospital could be open next year.
The Lisburn unit - where about 1,200 babies are born each year - had been threatened with complete closure.The Lisburn unit - where about 1,200 babies are born each year - had been threatened with complete closure.
Now it will be turned into a community midwifery unit, which will cater for up to 500 low-risk births a year.Now it will be turned into a community midwifery unit, which will cater for up to 500 low-risk births a year.
John Compton, Chief executive of the South Eastern Trust, denied it was a U-turn, rather a "proper response" to consultation, giving "extra choice." John Compton, chief executive of the South Eastern Trust, denied it was a U-turn, rather a "proper response" to consultation, giving "extra choice."
"Throughout the process this has not been about money, it's been about standards," he said."Throughout the process this has not been about money, it's been about standards," he said.
"We know that in three to five years time it will fail to meet the standards that will be required in a consultant unit. Having a midwifery unit will be a tremendous addition for women.""We know that in three to five years time it will fail to meet the standards that will be required in a consultant unit. Having a midwifery unit will be a tremendous addition for women."
He said a midwifery-led unit would open in Downpatrick later this year, and one in Lisburn would give additional choice.He said a midwifery-led unit would open in Downpatrick later this year, and one in Lisburn would give additional choice.
"We are relaxed about timing," he said."We are relaxed about timing," he said.
"We will try to do it in 2010, but if it takes a little longer, it takes a little longer. The important thing is that it is done properly and correctly and done in a way which minimises any difficulty for mothers.""We will try to do it in 2010, but if it takes a little longer, it takes a little longer. The important thing is that it is done properly and correctly and done in a way which minimises any difficulty for mothers."
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announced on Wednesday that some midwifery services would be retained. Deliveries which need surgical skills will no longer be carried out at the hospital.
He said deliveries which need surgical skills would no longer be carried out at the hospital.
However, antenatal and postnatal services will continue to be provided in the hospital for all local women.
The MP for Lagan Valley, Jeffrey Donaldson, welcomed the move by the health minister, but said he wanted to see the community midwifery unit put in place as soon as possible.