Mum’s praise for ‘fantastic’ Downe

Mum’s praise for ‘fantastic’ Downe

13 January 2016

A DRUMANESS woman who gave birth on Christmas Day at the Downe Hospital’s midwife unit is encouraging other mums across the district to use what she describes as a “fantastic facility.”

Hayley Flanagan gave birthday to baby Jacob six minutes after arriving at the hospital and was so impressed with the unit and its dedicated staff that she hopes other mums will give birth in Downpatrick and continue to support the facility.

The unit — which is not staffed by doctors — was the first of its kind to open in Ireland in 2010 and provides ante and post-natal classes for local mothers.

Mum-of-three Hayley’s eldest son, Corry, was born at the Ulster Hospital’s midwife unit and her daughter, Polly, was born in the back of an ambulance just outside Downpatrick a number of years ago.

Hayley explained she opted to have her third child at the Downe because the midwife unit was convenient to her home and family.

“The midwives were fantastic from start to finish,” she said. “They were calm and reassuring and while I had to have several scans at the Ulster during my ante-natal care, the local midwives were always providing me with reassurance. The staff were fantastic and I cannot praise them enough.”

Hayley said she woke with contraction pains at 7.30am on Christmas Day and after making contact with midwives, made her way to Downpatrick. She was whisked into the delivery suite at 8.06am and seven minutes later baby Jacob arrived.

She was discharged just before 2pm and was back home in Drumaness for her Christmas dinner with a very special delivery alongside her.

“I had no complications and everything went according to plan,” she said. “The staff  were really lovely and I cannot thank them enough.

“I would appeal to women to use this fantastic facility. While it is not suitable for all expectant mums, in particular, those who are at risk from complications, this is a very safe unit. It really is a home from home and you would not think for one moment that you were in a hospital setting. I cannot praise the service and the staff highly enough.

“The care the midwives provide is out of this world. It is so important to have an important facility like this in our area. It is an excellent, modern facility and one which meets the needs of local women.”

Last year, it was announced that a review of the Downpatrick maternity unit was to be carried out. The exercise will evaluate the midwife-led services and produce detailed recommendations for the facility. As part of the review process, there will be a public meeting.

Part of the outline business case which established the midwifery-led unit at the new Downe Hospital in 2010 included a requirement for an independent evaluation to be undertaken of the service.

Local politicians say it is important the midwife-led service continues in operation — it is a view endorsed by Hayley and the latest addition to her family.