Whether you are pregnant and thinking about where to have your baby or someone thinking about joining our team, I am delighted that you have chosen to visit our website.
Our team here is committed to provide the best possible support before, during and after labour and we are delighted that we have recently added ten new midwives to support the increasing numbers of women choosing to have their babies with us. As well as having the only full range of neonatal services in Surrey we have developed a midwife-led birth unit, the Abbey Birth Centre.
Visiting Restrictions - Important COVID-19 Update |
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The safety of our mums and newborn babies is our highest priority. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, as part of our Infection Prevention and Control strategy, we need to implement a strict visiting policy to help prevent transmission and safeguard those we care for. The restrictions at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals have been implemented due to the increased incidence of COVID-19 in our local community. We appreciate your support and understanding with these measures.
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Homebirth Services |
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Our Homebirth Service is running as normal. If you are healthy, are having an uncomplicated pregnancy and live within the area where we provide a community midwifery service, you may want to consider a homebirth as an option. Homebirth has been shown to reduce the likelihood of interventions in health pregnancies. Homebirth is not an advisable option should a complication arise in your pregnancy, or if you have either a medical or obstetric history that indicates that a hospital birth is more appropriate. We aim to run a 24-hour service but very occasionally this not possible because the community midwives maybe attending another homebirth or it maybe due to staff sickness. On these very rare occasions your Midwife will keep you informed and explore other options with you. |
#helpushelpyou |
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We would like to assure you that the Maternity Unit will remain open throughout this time and it is important that you attend your check ups and appointments. We would encourage you to seek advice or care if you are concerned about your own wellbeing or that of your baby. Please speak to a member of the maternity team or call the pregnancy advice line on 0300 123 5473. For further information, please see here. |
Useful Resources |
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Please read our COVID-19 webpages to find out more information:
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COVID-19 Screening |
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At St. Peter’s Hospital our priority is to keep you and your baby safe. In line with NHS England and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) recommendations we are now offering a swab to screen for COVID-19 to all women who are admitted into the Maternity unit, regardless of symptoms. This is to help minimise the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals. Please access the information leaflet which is available here and on the Badgernet portal. From 7th September, we are extending our COVID-19 testing to include birth partners of women who are having planned caesarean sections. This is to minimise the infection risk within our theatres. Birth partners will need to self isolate following their test until the time of admission. They will be tested at the same time their partner attend their pre-op appointment in Maternity Day Assessment Unit.
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Our Philosophy of Care
Excellent maternity care is comprehensive and flexible to respond to the clinical and social needs of each family.
We know that every woman, baby and family is unique and will have different needs depending on their own circumstances. We want to work in partnership to help every woman achieve the experience that is right for them.
Our team will ensure that you have the correct information to help you reach the choice and decisions that are right for you. When circumstances mean that the choice has to be changed, we will ensure that we provide information and an explanation for you to understand the reasons for this ... read more.
Introducing the Abbey Birth Centre
We are delighted to announce that Ashford and St Peter’s fantastic new midwifery led birth unit – The Abbey Birth Centre (ABC) has opened to our new mums-to-be. This is a unique NHS facility in the local area and offer an ideal ‘home from home’ setting for women seeking a natural and positive birth experience.
The centre looks and feels very different to a traditional labour ward, with care led by our friendly team of midwives who feel very passionately about promoting and supporting natural birth whenever possible.
Situated next to the existing maternity unit, Abbey Wing at St Peter’s Hospital, the Abbey Birth Centre has been purpose built to provide a homely and relaxing environment, where women who have normal and uncomplicated pregnancies and want to give birth in a less clinical setting. There are four en-suite birthing rooms, three with pool facilities and extra touches such as iPod docking stations and a small outside garden space ... read more
How to Find Us
Maternity Services are based in Abbey Wing (shown above), located at the front of the St. Peter’s hospital site in Chertsey, Surrey.
- Click here for travel directions and parking information or on the map below
Developments in Maternity
Welcome to my monthly video message. This time I’ve been talking to colleagues working in our maternity services in Abbey Wing and the ABC birth unit and finding out about some of the fantastic work that’s going on to improve care to women and their babies.
Importantly I’ve also learnt about some great work – through the Royal College of Midwives’ Caring for You Charter – we are doing to support our team as well.
Suzanne Rankin
Chief Executive
