Welcome to the Consultant Led Unit
The Consultant Led Unit is based in the University Hospital of Wales and provides a service for pregnant women who require extra support from a consultant obstetrician. A team approach to care is provided to mothers and babies from consultant obstetricians, midwives, junior doctors, anaesthetists, nurses, support staff, theatre staff and neonatal staff. Together they plan and provide high standards of care for mothers and babies to make the birth experience as memorable as possible. The safety of mothers and babies is key to our service.
Delivery Suite
The Delivery Suite at the University Hospital of Wales is run by a consultant-led team with the expertise to care for women with complex pregnancies. Midwives experienced in caring for women in both low and high risk pregnancies work with the multi-disciplinary team to provide specialist care.
One-to-one midwifery care for women in active labour is provided and is fundamental to reducing the need for pain relief in labour, instrumental delivery and caesarean section. Women are less likely to report dissatisfaction with their birth experience as a result.
The obstetric medical team and anaesthetic service is available on the Delivery Suite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The presence of a consultant obstetrician helps prevent unnecessary clinical intervention, reducing the caesarean section rate, as well as providing support for junior doctors and managing obstetric emergencies. Obstetrics theatres and epidural service are also available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
The Delivery Suite consists of 14 delivery rooms, two obstetric theatres and 4 high dependency beds. There is a birthing pool on the delivery suite: it has been found that women who labour in water find this one of the most beneficial methods of pain relief. The Teardrop Suite is an area located away from the main Delivery Suite where bereaved women and their families can stay if they have experienced the sad loss of their baby.
The Neonatal Unit is adjacent to the Delivery Suite. This enables paediatricians to attend emergencies and transfer babies who need neonatal care quickly.
Women are admitted for induction of labour every day and the elective caesarean section list runs 5 days a week.
One-to-one midwifery care for women in active labour is provided and is fundamental to reducing the need for pain relief in labour, instrumental delivery and caesarean section. Women are less likely to report dissatisfaction with their birth experience as a result.
The obstetric medical team and anaesthetic service is available on the Delivery Suite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The presence of a consultant obstetrician helps prevent unnecessary clinical intervention, reducing the caesarean section rate, as well as providing support for junior doctors and managing obstetric emergencies. Obstetrics theatres and epidural service are also available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
The Delivery Suite consists of 14 delivery rooms, two obstetric theatres and 4 high dependency beds. There is a birthing pool on the delivery suite: it has been found that women who labour in water find this one of the most beneficial methods of pain relief. The Teardrop Suite is an area located away from the main Delivery Suite where bereaved women and their families can stay if they have experienced the sad loss of their baby.
The Neonatal Unit is adjacent to the Delivery Suite. This enables paediatricians to attend emergencies and transfer babies who need neonatal care quickly.
Women are admitted for induction of labour every day and the elective caesarean section list runs 5 days a week.
|
|
|
Maternity Ward
The maternity ward has 44 antenatal and postnatal beds. Women are transferred to the ward soon after giving birth and the length of stay primarily depends on whether a women has had a caesarean section or a vaginal birth. Some babies may require additional care and assistance with feeding and this may lengthen the hospital stay. Babies stay with their mothers at all times, night and day. Secure access doors and baby tagging are in place on the ward to ensure the safety of babies.
Visiting on the maternity ward is restricted in order to allow new mothers and their babies time to rest and recover after the birth. Partners may visit through the day, and may remain overnight. Information is available on the ward about this facility. A quiet time is in place between 12.30 and 2pm when partners are requested to leave the ward to allow mothers time to rest. Other relatives may visit during visiting hours which are 2pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm.
The ward is staffed by midwives, nursery nurses and maternity care assistants supported by administrative and clerical staff.
Visiting on the maternity ward is restricted in order to allow new mothers and their babies time to rest and recover after the birth. Partners may visit through the day, and may remain overnight. Information is available on the ward about this facility. A quiet time is in place between 12.30 and 2pm when partners are requested to leave the ward to allow mothers time to rest. Other relatives may visit during visiting hours which are 2pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm.
The ward is staffed by midwives, nursery nurses and maternity care assistants supported by administrative and clerical staff.
