15 October 2009

With less than one week before consultant-led births, paediatric inpatient services and neonatal care move from Wycombe to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, staff are working hard to ensure the units are ready to receive new patients.

On 19 October 2009, a number of changes will be made to women and children’s services at Wycombe Hospital. This is in line with plans to centralise inpatient care at our new Women and Baby Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, following a £6m investment in dedicated facilities, which provides a number of en-suite delivery rooms, operating theatres with a recovery unit, and redeveloped neonatal intensive care.

Staff have been planning over the past few months to ensure the changes happen as smoothly as possible; a number of services at Stoke Mandeville Hospital have already transferred into their new facilities.

At Wycombe, prior to 19 October, staff plan to discharge patients who are fit to leave hospital and only move those requiring on-going care or treatment. Each patient will be assessed thoroughly before being moved and they will be accompanied by a trained member of staff in an ambulance from Wycombe to Stoke Mandeville.

“Staff have been eagerly awaiting the changes and they’re looking forward to welcoming mums and children.” said Celina Eves, head of midwifery.

“The new facilities provide a number of excellent services and everyone here is excited about being able to finally use them.

“We’ve spent a long time planning the moves to ensure they happen as smoothly and quickly as possible, with minimum disruption to patients. Staff at both hospitals often work across-site so have a wealth of experience in moving patients, however senior staff will be on hand throughout the move should patients experience any problems.”

The centre, called Claydon Wing, is based adjacent to the A&E department.
Following the move, outpatient clinics, day surgery, antenatal services and a midwife-led birth centre will continue to be provided from Wycombe Hospital.

And whilst a majority of patients’ care will remain at their local hospital, Buckinghamshire Healthcare are advising that children who may be seriously ill or injured and women in labour who are not booked to use the midwife-led birth centre should not be taken to Wycombe Hospital from 19 October.

Further information about the moves and where services are provided can be found at www.buckinghamshirehospitals.nhs.uk/moving