Oh baby! TV star Alison Hammond thrilled staff at Walsall Manor Hospital’s Midwifery-Led Unit when she popped in for a tour and met the first little girl born there.
The TV presenter loved seeing the birthing rooms and chatting to new mum Juliana Uhuo and dad Ronny Chambers.
They welcomed their daughter Xadia on 25 February – the first girl to be born on the unit which was relocated from a standalone site into the hospital following families’ feedback.
“She’s absolutely beautiful and making me feel very broody,” said Alison.
“This unit is stunning, it’s so homely and such a lovely place to give birth. The staff are amazing too and I’ve loved visiting and being given such a warm welcome.”
Brummie-born Alison squeezed in a visit on a rare day off last month – to the delight of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s teams.
Jo Wright, Director of Midwifery, Gynaecology and Sexual Health at the Trust, said: “We’re thrilled that Alison managed to come to our unit. It was such a morale boost for our staff – no-one wanted her to leave!
“We’re incredibly proud of our MLU and all the work we’ve done with Walsall’s Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership to listen to the views of our families. “
Moving the MLU next to the hospital’s Maternity Unit means that more birth choices can be offered to a greater number of women. Within the previous unit, only low-risk women – with strict criteria – were able to use the service. These criteria can now be expanded and mean women and babies who may have complications as their labour and birth progress have rapid access to staff who are able to support urgent care.
The MLU offers:
- One to one care in labour
- Three birth pool rooms with en-suites
- Breastfeeding support
- Parent education
- Reflexology (coming soon)
- Calming atmosphere with LED lighting
- Swift discharge directly from the MLU
- Refreshment area with seating
Alison also spent time with Fundraising Manager Georgie Westley. Walsall Healthcare’s Well Wishers charity funded the wall art in the unit and kitchen items.