LVH success at maternity and family awards
by JULIE ANN SPENCE
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| (L-R) MLA Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA, Niamh McCabe, Margretta Burdon, Maureen Ritchie and Jonathan Craig MLA. | (L-R) Lynn Logan, Nuala O'Connor, Margretta Bulden, Maureen Ritchie, Zoe Boreland, Niamh McCabe and Gail Werkmeister NCT President. |
THE Maternity Unit at Lagan Valley Hospital, which is due to be closed and replaced with a midwife led unit, has received the top award for Services Promoting the Normality of Birth at the NCT NI Maternity & Family Awards at Stormont.
The NCT (formerly National Childbirth Trust) NI Maternity & Family Awards, sponsored by Vitabiotics Pregnacare supplements, showcased and celebrated best practice in the work of statutory maternity and family support services for prospective parents and parents of young children in Northern Ireland.
Speaking at the event, local MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he was 'delighted'.
This is justified recognition of the high standard of maternity care and support provided at the Lagan Valley hospital" he said. This is why we have fought so hard to retain a maternity unit at the Lagan Valley."
Martin Bradley, Chief Nursing Officer for Northern Ireland, said: The Awards provide an excellent opportunity to recognise good practice in this field. I offer my congratulations to all of the winners and those who were highly commended, as their work shows the professionalism and dedication of, those involved in providing maternity and family services in Northern Ireland."
NCT Chief Executive Belinda Phipps added: "We were delighted at the standard of entries for our inaugural Northern Ireland awards. These awards have been offered to services demonstrating innovation and best practice across the areas of pregnancy and birth, babyfeeding, supporting those becoming parents and involving users in service development."
Seam Talbot of NCT in Northern Ireland added: "The fact that winners were spread geographically across Northern Ireland reassures us that a progressive approach to maternity and family support is being taken in a number of areas. The work of the winners also showcases best practice and can illustrate to other organisations how things can work well."
At the NCT NI award for services promoting the normality of birth went to South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust - Maternity Unit at Lagan Valley Hospital.
The inaugural NCT Northern Ireland Maternity and Family Awards, held at Stormont. The Awards recognise best practice in the work of statutory maternity and family support services for prospective parents and parents of young children in Northern Ireland. Pictured are the NCT NI Award winners for services promoting the normality of birth, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust - Maternity Unit at Lagan Valley Hospital, (L-R) Lynn Logan, Nuala O'Connor, Margretta Bulden, Maureen Ritchie, Zoe Boreland, Niamh McCabe and Gail Werkmeister NCT President.
Ulster Star
12/11/2009
