The increase in birth rates hasn’t been matched by an increase in capacity, so our units now severely lack the necessary space and facilities.

The Maternity Unit today

At the Royal Cornwall Hospital, we are only able to offer births in a consultant-led unit. Not only is this busy unit a little tired, but it is not ideal for women having a low-risk birth, because it can increase the likelihood of medical intervention. We want to be able to provide women with more choices about where and how they give birth so they can access the care they want in a calm environment, regardless of whether they are having a low or a higher risk birth.

The Neonatal Unit today

With roughly 10-12% of all newborns requiring special care, the increase in birth rates also means we have many more babies who need to spend some time in the neonatal unit.

Our current neonatal unit is severely lacking in space and facilities, and this can make visiting poorly and premature babies more stressful and difficult than it should be. This also has a real impact on our ability to provide space for the necessary equipment to care for their intensive and complex needs, whilst maintaining a family-friendly environment.

What’s more, our Neonatal Unit is the only one in Cornwall, and means that parents and families have to travel further to visit their babies than anywhere else in the United Kingdom.

What are we doing already with the NHS funding?

Phase 1 – complete

Full refurbishment of the Postnatal Ward, giving it a fresh and modern look and increasing space for partners to stay overnight.

Phase 2

Larger premises for the neonatal unit, allowing families to be at the heart of their baby’s care. Improvements will include:

• Greater space to improve privacy and dignity for our patients and their families,
• Adding a further three bedrooms (increasing the total to five) so that more families can stay for a ‘getting to know me’ night before babies are discharged home.
• Improvements to Neonatal Outpatients, including
• Dedicated waiting room with children’s play area for siblings,
• Baby change room,
• Breastfeeding room,
• Consulting room for the medical team to see and review their patients – (The current ‘room’ is also a thoroughfare for the laboratory room and X-Ray processing machine.)

Phase 3

Creation of a midwife-led birthing unit at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

• A relaxed and homely, rather than clinical, environment.
• Comfortable, low-tech birthing rooms each with a birthing pool and ensuite facilities.

Studies show that when a woman feels calm and in control of how she gives birth, both medical intervention and adverse outcomes are reduced. We want to improve the birth environments on offer to all women in Cornwall, whether they are likely to have a straightforward, low-risk birth or a higher risk and will need medical support, so that they have the choice to give birth in the best way for them.

Being in the neonatal unit is a very emotionally challenging time for both babies and their families. Improving the facilities available will make their journey through the neonatal unit more comfortable.

It will allow families to stay at the hospital and visit more frequently and for longer, helping parents learn and gain confidence about looking after their new arrival much more quickly.

For babies, having their families so closely involved helps lower stress levels and promote better health, which then shortens hospital stays and reduces the likelihood of them being readmitted to hospital.