Controversial birth centre opens

Many people protested at the closure of Lymington birth centre

A new combined birthing centre is set to open in Hampshire, despite protests against it.

The midwife-led New Forest Birth Centre, at Ashurst Hospital, will open its doors later, replacing three former birthing units.

Hundreds of people protested at the closure of former centres at Hythe, Lymington and Romsey in 2006.

The new centre includes two birthing pools, seven postnatal beds, breast-feeding and antenatal support.

A spokesman for the Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust (SUHT), said: "If a woman or her baby needs to see a doctor at any time, or the birth is not progressing as expected, they will be transferred to the Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton, by ambulance."

Maria Dore, head of midwifery at SUHT, added: "Rather than having several birth centres standing under-used, we will have a thriving centre of excellence which we hope will attract more women than ever before."