Annette calls for action on new Maternity Unit in Poole

11.38.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 24th Sep 2009

Annette Brooke MP has moved to encourage fresh efforts to make sure that the money needed to build Poole Hospital’s new Maternity Unit.

Annette Brooke MP has moved to encourage fresh efforts to make sure that the money needed to build Poole Hospital's new Maternity Unit.

The new A&E Department is going ahead and while the Maternity Unit was on track this time last year, there are fears that the project will be delayed.

It has been recognised for the last 15 years that the current Maternity Unity is running out of the physical capacity, as well as being extremely old and not to a standard that is acceptable in modern clinical practice. While Poole Hospital is in a good financial position, the current economic climate has prevented the additional funding being found.

Annette Brooke MP commented "Replacing the Maternity Unit is the Hospital number one priority, but the funding is extremely difficult to find in this economic climate.

"Politicians are talking about cuts more and more but the case for the new Maternity Unity is very strong, a new Unity would benefit thousands of families for miles around.

"I have written to Sir Ian Caruthers, Chief Executive of the Strategic Health Authority and will be pursuing this at Government Level.