A fond farewell to St Mary's Maternity Unit
Local families and University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) staff have said an emotional goodbye to St Mary's Maternity Unit.
Over 400 people gathered in Poole on Saturday 5 April for a morning of reflection and celebration where, for the past 64 years, an estimated 250,000 babies have been welcomed into the world. It was an opportunity for the community to come together with colleagues past and present, share memories, and take a look around the unit following its closure.
Guests also had a chance 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.
Siobhan Harrington, Chief Executive Officer at UHD, said the event was a "tribute to both the community and the staff who made the unit what it was. I’ve been here nearly three years as chief executive, and to see our community come out to mark this day with our staff is absolutely amazing. People are sharing stories about their experiences here, and it’s incredibly moving."
UHD colleages gather to pay tribute to St Mary's Maternity Unit.
L-R: Consultant gynaecologist Mr Tim Hillard, Medical Director of Strategy and Transformation Dr Isabel Smith, Director of Midwifery and Neonatal Services, Lorraine Tonge, Head of Midwifery and Neonatal Services, Senior Inpatient Maternity Matron, Christine Smith, and Transitional Care Ward Matron, Caroline Boyd.
Kerry Taylor, UHD’s Head of Midwifery, said it was important to give people a chance to celebrate the building and its history. “We are so excited at moving to the BEACH Building, but acknowledge that for many local families and staff here today, it is bittersweet 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 here in the building and joining us to say a fond farewell."
UHD's Head of Midwifery, Kerry Taylor
Local families gather to say goodbye to St Mary's
Marion Pauley, 87, was one of the first women to give birth at St. Mary’s in 1961, and returned to the unit to say her goodbyes with her daughter. She said: “This hospital holds so many special memories for me. Although I was poorly after having my son, my mother lived nearby and was able to visit us everyday while we were in special care for five weeks. It meant everything.”
Marion Pauley, was one of the first women to give birth at St Mary's when the unit first opened in 1961
Families return to say their goodbyes to the unit
Staff-led tours of the unit took place throughout the morning
Senior Inpatient Maternity Matron, Christine Smith, spoke about the privilege of supporting women during such a special time in their lives.
Lorraine Tonge, UHD's Director of Midwifery and Neonatal Services, rang the unit's bell for the final time. The 'fathers out' bell was orignially sounded each evening to mark the end of visiting time.
With St Mary's now officially closed, a new era in maternity services begins at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, where maternity and neonatal teams at the BEACH Building will provide maternity and neonatal care, offering the highest standard of medical support for new and expecting parents within a state-of-the-art unit. To find out more, head here.
