Llandough maternity unit: It's all change for mothers (From Penarth Times)

Llandough maternity unit: It's all change for mothers

AS of tomorrow, women in the Vale will have to go to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff if they want consultants on hand when they give birth, following radical changes made by the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust.

The trust is introducing two new midwifery-led units at Llandough Hospital and at the University Hospital of Wales but transferring all neo-natal services to Cardiff.

The changes mean it will no longer be possible for women to go to a traditional hospital delivery ward in the Vale.

The review of Women's Services has also led to changes for gynaecology patients, with in-patients services moving from Llandough to UHW, and gynaecology cancer services moving from UHW to Llandough.

All of these changes will be made this week and over the following weekend.

A spokesperson for The Cardiff and Vale Trust said: "Mums-to-be are being advised of the changes to make sure they know where to go for their deliveries.

"This important change will provide relaxed surroundings for women giving birth."

Some 5,500 women give birth at Llandough Hospital and the University Hospital of Wales every year.

The Welsh Assembly Government has set a target of achieving 10 per cent of births at home by 2007.