New funding announced for hospital maternity unit upgrades

The government has announced a new 25 million pound funding pot intended to help NHS hospitals improve and upgrade their maternity units.

More than 100 hospitals across the UK will be able to access this funding, which will lead to the creation of almost 40 new birthing pools and eight new midwife-led units, as well as more en suite facilities and overnight accommodation for fathers.

Additionally, better bereavement spaces will be introduced at nearly 20 hospitals to support families in case of tragic events such as stillbirths.

This comes in response to a growing need to update NHS maternity units, many of which have not received a significant refurbishment for decades.

Health minister Dr Dan Poulter said: "Maternity units have had to show evidence that they asked mums and dads about what changes they need to make – so we know these are the changes local people really want to see."

This scheme is being introduced following the inclusion of a duty to improve care and support for women during pregnancy in the recently-published NHS Mandate.