Tameside Hospital celebrates International Day of the Midwife

International Day of the Midwife signals the end of a month of celebrations and major milestones for midwives at Tameside Hospital. 

The international event is held annually on 5 May and this year Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust - which runs the Ashton-based hospital - is taking stock of all the incredible work midwives and maternity staff have provided during a global crisis.

Over the past year, midwives, maternity support workers and student midwives at the hospital have met extraordinary circumstances to provide care to women and their families across Tameside and Glossop.

In the throes of the early part of the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2020, the Acorn Birth Centre at Tameside Hospital quietly opened its doors and began welcoming new babies into the world. Last month, the centre celebrated its one-year anniversary.

Head of Midwifery, Kerry Reede Field, said: “Despite the fact we have been dealing with a pandemic over the last 12 months, it has been a pleasure to see the Acorn Birth Centre be so well received by new parents. The feedback we have had so far has been overwhelmingly positive and we are really excited about all the new arrivals yet to come.”

Also within the last month, the centre celebrated the 200th baby to be born at the centre. Baby Finley was born to Kirsty and Scott on 22 April.

As part of the celebrations of International Day of the Midwife, a custom designed flag will be flown on Wednesday (5 May) at the hospital site. 

A virtual tour of the facility is available for families considering having their baby at the centre. You can view the tour by visiting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibofU42JoCI 

More information about having a baby at the Acorn Birth Centre can be found at https://www.tamesidehospital.nhs.uk/our-services/women-children/maternity/