Health Estates are pleased to report that construction of the new Maternity Unit at the Ulster Hospital has recently been completed at a total cost of approximately £13 million (including fees, equipment etc) with Brendan Smyth of Health Estates acting as project manager. Tommy Devlin Health Estates Clerk of Works was based on site to monitor work in progress and ensure that the project was completed to a high standard.

The New Maternity Unit replaces the existing Rea & Mitchell Wards, delivery suite and the temporary Maternity Outpatients Department located at the front of the hospital (which was opened in March 2005). Work commenced in April 2005 and was completed in July 2007. Gilbert-Ash Ltd were the main contractors working in a Performance Related Partnering (PRP) Framework.     

The new unit will provide facilities to approximately 3000 women per year and offers state of the art, purpose built accommodation for mothers and newborn children. Some of the new maternity facilities provided at the hospital include “Home from Home” rooms with:-

i) Seven birthing pools

ii) 32 ward beds

iii) 14 neo-natal beds

iv) 2 theatres

v) 5 labour rooms

vi) A recovery room

vii) A holistic therapy room

The building comprises a ground floor out-patient unit, a unique “home from home” unit that aims to offer the complete natural birthing experience, an extensive ward and labour unit and an extended neo-natal unit which incorporates intensive care, high dependency and special care facilities.

The Home from Home unit contains seven individual labour and birthing rooms which have been fitted with large birthing baths. The out-patients unit located on the ground floor has a special room specifically designed to offer pregnant women holistic therapies such as Indian head massage, reflexology and a wide range of other services. Specially trained midwives will be responsible for undertaking all of these complementary treatments. The outpatients unit has been up and running since 23 July 2007 and it is planned that the 1st and 2nd floors will be operational from 13 and 14 August 2007.

Hospital staff and patient representatives have worked closely together in developing interior finishes such as colour schemes, wood finishes and working groups were established in relation to the procurement of appropriate equipment.

Staff and patients have also liaised closely in selecting “Life and Movement” as a theme for artwork in the new environment. Artists from around the world were invited to submit their ideas and subsequently five major commissions were awarded, some of which are displayed below.

Health Estates and the Trust worked in close partnership on this project and are absolutely delighted with the quality and design of the unit and the construction standards.

Users have commented on the quality and high standards in terms of design and construction. The patients and staff alike are also pleased with the bright, new, spacious environment.