News
Busy birthing units keep up with developments
THE district’s two maternity units together welcomed more than 6,000 babies into the world in 2014. A record 5,625 deliveries were registered at the Tonbridge Wells Hospital – its busiest year yet – with 421 at Maidstone Birth Centre. The details are contained in a re-
port by Maidstone and Tunbridge WellsNHSTrust, reviewing mater- nity services through 2014. More than 1,300 babies have been
born at the Maidstone Birth Centre since it opened three years ago, and every month staff take calls from 1,000 expectant mums looking for advice and support. It remains at the forefront in pro- moting new techniques, with a trial starting last year to help relieve back pain during labour, aswell as a research project into the effect of acupressure for inducing labour. Six midwives have also been trained to carry out “first baby checks”, and 328 examinations have been carried out.
In 2014, at both birthing units, the kangaroo care system, which en- courages mothers to use a wrap or kanga cardi to cradle newborn ba- bies, continued to be promoted as standard practice. In Tunbridge Wells, the report
notes, efforts continue to make the environment as homely as possible, with a government grant used last year to buy folding beds for part- ners staying at the unit. Two lounges were also created for cou- ples and the hospital’s league of friends funded new telemetry units, allowing expectant mothers to be monitored during labour without restricting their move- ment. The units can also be used in the
birth pools, which has led to more women havingwater births. Developments this year, accord-
ing to the report, will include the introduction of mobile epidurals for low-risk women to enable them to remain as mobile as possible during labour.
downsmail.co.uk Bringing more
fun to park Continued from page one including market research, user surveys and a detailed financial ap- praisal. The council estimates more than 500,000 people visit the park each year, of which 10% will use the at- traction. It believes it can implement very competitive pricing, with about £5 to use the high rope course, £4 for the climbingwall, £6 for adventure golf and £10 for Segway hire. The precise layout will depend
on ecological and heritage impact and members hope the attraction could be open for the summer of 2016. A report by the council’s Marcus
Midwifery head
steps down GILLIAN Duffey will be a familiar face to thousands of mothers in the area. In February, the trust said farewell to Gillian, whowas head of midwifery, after 32 years’ service.
Lawler states: “The adventure zone will improve the leisure and recre- ation offering within the borough and will be a boost to the visitor economy and promote Mote Park as a visitor destination. “The adventure zone will pro-
mote physical wellbeing by en- couraging physical activity in adults and children.” A recent visitor survey revealed
67% of users were likely to use a crazy golf course, 68% a seasonal ice rink and 51% an aerial rope or high wire and 37% a Segway.
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4 Maidstone Town March 2015
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