Maternity unit breaks ground

The new unit will have more than 30 maternity beds

Work has officially begun on a £10m maternity and day surgery unit at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.

The unit will replace the ageing Cresswell Maternity Hospital when it opens towards the end of next year.

Susan Deacon: "Safe experience"

It will provide 18 in-patient maternity beds and 13 neo-natal beds. It will also contain a new theatre, an endoscopy suite and recovery places for 30 patients.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Health Minister Susan Deacon said: "Having a baby is one of the most important events in life.

"Every woman deserves that experience to be as safe, comfortable and supported as possible.

"The provision of such modern and improved facilities is in line with our determination to build an NHS which is fit for patients and fit for the future."

Ms Deacon also visited Kirkcudbright health centre where the she launched the NHS trust's new intranet service which links together all the primary care professionals across the region.