Families invited to farewell event for Maternity Unit

After more than 60 years of service, St Mary’s Maternity Unit in Poole has closed its doors for the final time, and University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) is inviting local families to come and say a final farewell.

Taking place on Saturday 5 April, 10am-1pm, members of the public are welcome to visit areas of the unit and join maternity and neonatal staff members for a trip down memory lane, helping colleagues celebrate the place and its people where an estimated 250,000 babies have been welcomed into the world since the unit’s opening in 1961.

Along with access to areas of Antenatal, Haven Birthing Suite, and Labour Ward, guests will also have an opportunity to find out about the future of UHD’s maternity services which are now located in the new BEACH (Births, Emergency and Critical care and children’s Health) Building on the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site.

Kerry Taylor, UHD’S Head of Midwifery and Neonatal Services, said: “We are so excited at moving to the BEACH Building, but acknowledge that many local families and staff from the past and present will be sad to see the doors to St Mary’s Maternity Unit close for a final time.”

“We are delighted to give people the opportunity to come and reminisce, sharing the memories they have from their time in the building before joining us to say a fond farewell to St Mary’s.”

The event will take place at St Mary’s Maternity Unit, St Mary’s Road, Poole, BH15 2BH.

Refreshments will be available on the day and no booking is required; families are welcome to attend between the hours of 10am-1pm, and to be mindful of limited parking available.

Schedule as follows, (times approx):

• 10:15am - Welcome from Kerry Taylor, Head of Midwifery
• 10:25am - Memories of St Mary's from Christine Smith, Senior Inpatient Maternity Matron and Mr Tim Hillard, Consultant Gynaecologist
• 10:40am - Refreshments
• 11am - A blessing of the unit from Rvd. James Taylor, Lead Chaplain
• 11:30am-12pm - Tours of the unit
• 12:30pm - Closing words and thanks from Lorraine Tonge, Director of Midwifey and final 'ringing of the bell'