Maternity assessment suite

Your first point of contact for general enquiries and advice about pregnancy or any associated problem is your Community Midwife or GP, who may refer you to this service if necessary.

The Maternity Assessment Suite is a service run 7 days per week from 8.30 am-20.30 pm. It is an out-patient Assessment Area for pregnant women who:

• Have reduced fetal movements
• Think they may have ruptured membranes
• Have ruptured their membranes, but are not in labour
• Think that they may be in labour, but are not sure
• Have had a small vaginal bleed
• Have abdominal pain
• Have raised blood pressure and/or protein in their urine
• Have chosen to have their breech baby "turned" (ECV).

Should you need to be seen, you will be assessed, examined, treated and advised by midwives where applicable or referred to an Obstetrician, if necessary.

The service runs an appointment system for your convenience in order to reduce waiting time.

Where is it?
The Maternity Assessment Suite is located at the entrance of the Labour Suite.  It is well signposted from the main entrance of the maternity unit and you will be directed to it by the Main Reception Staff to whom you will report on your arrival.  As your visit should always be pre-arranged, the reception staff will be expecting you.

Facilities
The Maternity Assessment Suite has a small reception area immediately left of the main Labour Suite doors.  There are 2 examination rooms, which provide assessment areas for up to 6 women.  Please only 1 visitor per patient as space is limited. There is also a waiting room.

What happens after my visit?
After you have been seen in the Maternity Assessment Suite, providing all is well you will be able to go home.  You may be given another appointment to attend the Maternity Assessment Suite, perhaps an Antenatal Clinic/scan appointment or referral back to your General Practitioner or Community Midwife.

If you require further observation/treatment you will be admitted to the Antenatal ward or perhaps the Labour Suite.  Any recommendations for your care will be discussed with you at the time.

We hope that you find this service helpful – please feel free to offer your comments to a member of staff.