EXPECTANT mothers living near to Redditch's Alexandra Hospital have been welcomed to the brand new antenatal clinic at the hospital, which recently opened its doors to women.

The move is part of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s cross-county service for women and children and follows controversial plans to centralise many vital services, including maternity, at Worcester away from the Alex.

Women living in Redditch, Bromsgrove and the surrounding areas may not be able to give birth at the Alex, but can access a comprehensive antenatal service right up to the delivery of their baby.

Lisa Gardner, midwife and antenatal clinic manager, said: “The service includes an Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit caring for women from six weeks pregnant and a Maternity Day Assessment Unit for women that need specialist blood tests and monitoring of their babies.”

The team work alongside colleagues from the community midwifery team, who are also based at the Alex Hospital.

The hope is that expectant mothers have a single point of care from as early as six weeks pregnant, from first blood tests to first scans all the way up to the point of delivery where they will have to go to Worcester.

Lisa added: “This is an exciting time in the development of the Alexandra Hospital, the service will bring a much needed increase in capacity to our women’s and children’s services across the county, as well as improvements in our facilities at the Alex.

"We hope to offer parents more support, more specialised clinics, drop in sessions and start to impact our aim of achieving better births for all women in Worcestershire.”

The new dedicated antenatal clinic area has five clinic rooms, a dedicated phlebotomy room and an additional quiet waiting room available for use by patients awaiting early pregnancy scans or when greater privacy is required during an appointment.

Mum-to-be Nicola Garey, said: “It’s so lovely to come to the new clinic area, Lisa and her team are so reassuring.

"I know I can pick up the phone and ask any question. My baby is due in about seven weeks and I will be travelling to Worcestershire Royal for the delivery.”