An improved service offering a full range of midwifery services is up and running in Ludlow.

The majority of services at Ludlow’s Midwife-Led Unit (MLU) transferred to the Stretton Ward at Ludlow Community Hospital last month and today (Monday 7 November) the birthing unit also re-opened.

Jo Banks, Care Group Director for the Women and Children’s Care group at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), said: “We have always been committed to providing a local midwifery services for local people and therefore I am delighted that Ludlow MLU is fully up and running.

“Care for women giving birth, postnatal services, antenatal appointments, booking services and day appointments are all now provided at the Stretton Ward, and for the first time ever in Ludlow we now have an area where we can offer water births.

“The Stretton Ward provides a very good environment for women. We have two labour rooms and a warm and comfortable space for day services.”

Jo added: “I would like to apologise for any disruption caused. Transferring services from one building to another is a challenging task, but one we believe is absolutely the correct thing do to, and I would like to thank everyone involved in the move. Staff worked tirelessly to ensure as little disruption as possible was caused and that all services were restored quickly.”

A full range of maternity services has also been restored at the Midwife Led Unit at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital following a period of essential maintenance works to the main plant room in the hospital’s Copthorne Building.