A donation of 12 specialist kit bags will help University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust midwives to support homebirths more efficiently.
Bay Hospitals Charity helped to secure the supply of Baby Lifeline Bags for use by teams working from Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Westmorland General Hospital and Furness General Hospital.
The kits, produced by the charity Baby Lifeline, contain everything a community midwife needs to give the safest and best care during homebirths.
UHMBT Community Midwifery Matron Anne Wallhouse said: “We’re really pleased that funding has been secured for baby Lifeline Bags for our Community Midwives.
“This equipment helps our teams to be organised and efficient during a homebirth, and is also invaluable in the event of an emergency.”
The bags are divided into 11 colour-coded compartments containing everything needed for the specific stages of labour and birth, including emergencies.
Their standardised design means that midwives can find what they need quickly and easily, at all stages of the birth.
If a section of the bag is not needed it is not opened, therefore protecting its integrity and reducing equipment waste.
UHMBT Executive Chief Nurse Bridget Lees said: “This equipment will help our teams to be as organised and safe as possible to create the best experience for those who choose the home birth option.
“As well as improving the birth experience, the bags will help us to save money and be kinder to the environment by reducing the amount of unused equipment we have to throw away.”
Bay Hospitals Charity funds the latest equipment for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust to help make patients more comfortable and ensure they get the best possible care and treatment.
To donate and support your local NHS hospital, contact Bay Hospitals Charity on 01524 516064 or email charity@uhmb.nhs.uk