New and expectant mothers in North Devon will now receive care in a new dedicated and upgraded facility in Barnstaple.

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (the Royal Devon) officially opened its new Barnstaple Community Maternity Hub at Barnstaple Health Centre, on Monday 31 July.

The new hub is base for both midwives and allied health professionals (AHPs).

Women using the facility will be able to access a range of services, including:

• Ante-natal care with a named midwife
• Post-natal care
• Infant feeding support.

Sally Bryant, Royal Devon Associate Director of Midwifery, said: “I’m really excited that we’ve been able to open this community midwifery hub in Barnstaple, it allows us to provide a different kind of midwifery care that we’ve not been able to before.  We can now invite other services in to support what we do, giving our new and expectant mothers in North Devon an enhanced experience.

“I would like to thank the community midwifery team for continuing to give fantastic care throughout this project.”

The facility has received a warm welcome by the first users of the hub. New mum Kirsty Cooling from Barnstaple, who visited the hub with baby Dexter, said: “It’s brilliant. I really can’t fault the service.”

Her sister Terri, also a new mum to baby Jack, added: “They are very attentive, and if you have a question, no matter how stupid you think it may be, they will always resolve it. They are so resourceful here.”

The official opening was performed by Jason Lugg, Director of Nursing - Northern services, who joined colleagues including Sally Bryant and Carolyn Mills, Chief Nursing Officer at the Royal Devon, in cutting a ribbon.