UHNM open new maternity assessment unit

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent mums-to-be are to benefit from a new revamped Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU) which has officially opened at University Hospitals of North Midlands.

The unit at the Royal Stoke Maternity Centre has taken just 12 weeks to build and features a waiting area, a reception which is staffed 24 hours a day and extra triage space meaning more patients will be seen safely and quicker.

The new MAU has been introduced in response to findings from a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection which took place in March and highlighted that women and families were not in sight of staff when they were waiting to be seen. Now, the new MAU reception and waiting areas mean staff are visible at all times to keep women safe while they are waiting to be assessed.

Donna Brayford, Deputy Director of Midwifery, said: “We are delighted to open our new MAU. It will be an amazing change for the team and women of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. As a team we continue to drive improvements and ensure high quality care in everything we do.”

All service users attending the Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU) are now triaged within 15 minutes of attendance and clear processes are put into place to prioritise, escalate, monitor and manage any delays to inductions of labour to ensure the safety of patients.

Ann-Marie Riley, Chief Nurse, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that our new MAU area is now open. The area offers a new reception and waiting area and some additional space for patients to be assessed. I would like to extend my thanks to all those who supported this project which will undoubtedly improve the experience of those who use the service.”

UHNM Capital Development Project Manager, Paul Cumberlidge who lead the build said: “The design and construction teams understood the serious nature of this request and mobilised immediately. Construction work has been delivered in record time which means that no patient will be left unattended whilst they wait to be seen and a much safer environment has been created.”