New £91m maternity unit welcomes first families

Bournemouth's new £91m maternity unit has begun welcoming its first expectant mothers.

The BEACH building at Royal Bournemouth Hospital opens on Monday, replacing the ageing facilities at St Mary's in Poole.

Amy House, who had her first child at St Mary's, is due to have her second at the new unit in May.

She described the BEACH building as "amazing, huge, light and airy", with private space and room for partners to stay.

Ms House, who works in the hospital trust's admin team, said the birth of her first child during the Covid pandemic was a "completely different" experience.

Speaking to Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast show, she said: "My partner was able to stay for the duration of labour but, as soon I was transferred to the post-natal ward, he was gone.

"That was Covid anyway, but St Mary's didn't have any capability for partners to stay. There wasn't room to have spare beds."

She described the new facilities as "absolutely amazing", adding: "It's huge, light, airy - there are some amazing views.

"It's a big building and every room is private so everyone has their own space."

As well as the maternity unit, all emergency gynaecology and early pregnancy services are now based at the hospital.

The move is part of a major reorganisation of services by University Hospitals Dorset across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

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