New clinic for mums-to-be

Mums-to-be in north Norfolk will be able to go along to a new, permanent community midwifery clinic in Cromer, thanks to a grant of nearly £100,000.

The Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity has awarded the money to create a dedicated space for the Walsingham Community Midwifery Team at the town’s hospital.

Currently the team sees pregnant women in several locations depending on availability, but the new base will be in one place, holding clinics and providing access to equipment, IT systems and phlebotomy services.

Pam Sizer, community midwifery matron, said: “Having easy access to a dedicated local clinic seven days a week will improve choice for women around their appointments, enable us to see more women in their own locality, and reduce unnecessary travel time to collect equipment and consumables from the central base in Norwich.”

And she said being in one spot would actually improve the service’s flexibility, enabling it to support vulnerable families.

John Paul Garside, director of the N&N Hospitals Charity, said: “The charity has been pleased to support the community midwives over a number of years and we are delighted to fund this work which will provide them with a stable base for improved services. This latest grant means that the charity has awarded more than £3m to Cromer Hospital over the last five years.”