A HOSPITAL midwifery unit will reopen next week after temporarily closing due to the coronavirus crisis.

The midwife-led unit at Eastbourne District General Hospital will reopen on Monday morning, following its temporary suspension while East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust responded to the pandemic.

It comes after the trust’s announcement last week that it is reinstating home births in East Sussex.

Emma Chambers, assistant director of midwifery, said: “We are thrilled that Eastbourne Midwifery Unit (EMU) will be reopening for births at 8am on Monday.

“While we had a great deal of positive feedback from women who moved their birth to Conquest Hospital, we are very excited to be able to welcome women back to have their babies at EMU and to attend their antenatal and postnatal appointments.

“This, along with the reinstatement of home births in East Sussex, means that women will once again have the full range of birthing options in East Sussex.

“We are taking appropriate precautions to keep women, their families and our members of staff safe and our midwives will be in touch to talk to families about the changes we have made and what actions they might need to take.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support and understanding during the temporary suspension.”

The unit sees about 300 families give birth there every year, and has received positive feedback in surveys.

Any family planning a birth at EMU or a home birth will need to complete a risk assessment with their midwife to make sure that it is the right option for them.