Maternity services in East Lancashire have changed following the opening of three new birth centres in Blackburn, Burnley and Rawtenstall. It means babies are no longer born at Royal Blackburn Hospital. Instead, maternity services are available at:
- A brand new, purpose built midwife-led birth centre on Park Lee Road, Blackburn
- A consultant-led unit at the Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre in the grounds of Burnley General Hospital
- A midwife-led birth centre within Rossendale Primary Health Centre in Rawtenstall
It means pregnant women throughout East Lancashire can now choose to have their baby at the midwife-led birth centre nearest to where they live, at home, or in the consultant-led maternity unit in Burnley.
Women whose medical histories suggest their birth is likely to be complex will be advised to have their children at the consultant-led unit.
All the new services have been designed in partnership with East Lancashire families, to make them as safe, comfortable and convenient as possible.
Midwives will work closely with pregnant women to fully assess their health and fitness and explain the different services available, to ensure they are making fully-informed choices.
For more information, speak to your midwife or GP.
