Award for Halcyon Birthing Centre
Posted on January 24, 2013
Sandwell and Birmingham NHS Trust have won one of the UK’s top midwifery prizes at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Annual Awards, the UK’s most prestigious midwifery awards, held in London on 24th January, 2013.
The award was given for a novel approach to promoting normal birth, or a birth without medical intervention or pain relief. Attending the ceremony was RCM’s Chief Executive Cathy Warwick and the celebrity and broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky.
James Pritchard of LSP was invited to represent the development team in recognition of their contribution to the delivery of the Halcyon Birthing unit at Sandwell in Birmingham. The purpose built facility was commissioned by Sandwell Primary Care Trust to meet the Trusts philosophy for low risk women in Birmingham and Smethwick. The project was completed in the Autumn 2011.
Commenting on the award Consultant Midwife Kathryn Gutteridge said: “Our service is focused on celebrating birth and aiming to keep the family together at all times. That is why our rooms are equipped with double beds so partners may stay after the birth for support when they are needed most. Halcyon Birth Centre has more of the feel of a ‘spa hotel’ than a typical labour ward, featuring three en-suite birthing rooms, each with a fixed, under-lit birth pool and a range of furniture and accessories designed to help labour go smoothly and safely. There is also a relaxing therapy treatment room, and each birthing room has access to the sensory garden for mums-to-be in need of fresh air
