End of an era for maternity unit

By Julian O'Neill
BBC Newsline reporter

Baby cots are lined up beside skips at a maternity hospital, which in its 21st year is closing rather than coming of age.

The clear-out of Downpatrick Maternity Hospital began over the last few days, although its doors will not officially shut to expectant mothers until 0900 BST on 6 August.

The maternity hospital is closing after 21 years of service

Downpatrick woman Donna McAleenan was relieved her son Mark arrived ahead of the deadline.

"It almost feels like a hotel for new babies," she says of the hospital.

"It gives that kind of care and attention. For the women of south Down, it's vital this service remains."

But there is no going back - Health Minister Angela Smith has made her decision.

A new £34m "enhanced" hospital will be built in its place. While declining birth rates could not justify a maternity suite, it will retain ante-natal and post-natal services.

The Chief Executive of the Down Lisburn Health Trust, John Compton, views the decision as something gained rather than something lost.

"We recognise things will be anxious for mothers, but when looking at the future of hospitals in Northern Ireland you cannot have the status quo everywhere."

Work on the new hospital is due to begin next year and Mr Compton believes it is a "tremendous achievement" for the Downpatrick area.

Back on the wards, there are more empty beds than patients. Catherine Greene and her new arrival Sarah have virtually a wing to themselves.

The Newcastle woman says the proximity of the hospital was a major plus.

Up to now we've had one home birth a year but already there are 17 registered for the rest of this year Assumpta Morgan Midwife

"I had a quick labour and am thankful I didn't have to go an extra 30 miles to a hospital in Belfast. I couldn't have coped any longer without pain relief," she said.

Birth rates at Downpatrick have dropped to about 400 a year.

Midwife Assumpta Morgan has heard the cries of newborns for all of the hospital's 21 years and admits the last hours will be tearful.

She also reveals a new trend among the area's mums-to-be: "Up to now we've had one home birth a year but already there are 17 registered for the rest of this year.

"Some of them are high-risk but the women are afraid of the trip to Belfast. They can't cope with the thought of a journey of up to an hour-and-a-half."

But for the most part Downpatrick's mothers of tomorrow are opting to travel not just to hospitals in Belfast, but also Lisburn and Newry.

The unwanted baby cots, however, are going even further afield. Saved from the skip, they are being shipped to Romania.