Hartlepool's hospital trust announces restart of home births service after being halted by Covid-19 outbreak

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s home births service is being re-introduced from Monday, June 15.

It follows a meeting of midwives resolved any issues or concerns they had to ensure the safe delivery of babies at home.

Stephanie El-Malak, Head of Midwifery, said: “Home births is one of the safest options for low risk pregnancies so we’re thrilled to be able to bring it back.

“Our meeting was very constructive where solutions to all issues raised by the teams or the women were found.

“I’m really proud that our midwives were the driving force behind bringing home births back. They helped produce new guidance and information so we can begin to once again provide safe home deliveries.”

She held a physically distanced focus group to plan the safe reintroduction of the home birth service.

Community midwives met to discuss any issues that may compromise the safety of mums to be, their families and staff who will attend if a woman chooses to birth her baby at home.

The health trust said women should discuss their birthing plans with their community midwife.

Due to the pandemic, the Maternity Assessment Unit at Hartlepool is providing a reduced service, opening, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 9am to 5pm.

Women concerned about their pregnancy outside of these days should contact the advice line on (01642) 624223/624376.

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