A MULTI-million pound project will create new "state of the art" facilities at Bradford Royal Infirmary's (BRI) Women's and Newborn Unit. 

The unit is one of the busiest in England and it's hoped £3.7m investment will help to "transform"maternity services at the hospital. 

It will see the replacement of the existing operating theatres, which will be housed in a new, two-storey extension at the rear of the building.A new rooftop plant room will also be created and there will be refurbishment to the interior of the building, plus minor external landscaping work.

Amanda Hardaker, Matron for Midwifery and Gynaecology, said: “This exciting new expansion project will create ‘state-of-the-art’ obstetric theatres and facilities which will improve patient experience and enhance patient care. The work will help improve how the maternity teams organise and deliver care for women requiring enhanced levels of treatment in pregnancy, birth and the immediate postnatal period.

"It will also transform patient flow and extend the care we currently provide. These renovations are part of our drive to transform maternity services into a truly outstanding provision for the women and families of Bradford and to make our services fit for purpose by creating the very best in facilities.”

The new extension covers 326 square metres and alongside the two replacement obstetrics theatres, will include an updated, larger recovery area and an additional area for women who require enhanced maternity care.
A space will also be left empty in anticipation of future expansion needs.

Chief Nurse Karen Dawber said: “Around 5,500 women give birth in the Women’s and Newborn Unit every year and by providing new and improved theatres and facilities we are aiming to improve the patient safety and experience even further. 

"We want to transform our facilities and the care we provide into an outstanding provision so our maternity unit is equipped with the very best modern-day facilities which today’s healthcare has to offer.

"This is no more than the people of Bradford deserve and will enable the Trust to better meet the needs of our highest risk women. I’d like to say huge thanks to our Estates and Facilities team, the maternity staff and the service users who are behind the build and who have worked tirelessly to make this expansion the success that we know it is going to be.”

The work, expected to be complete by summer 2021, will be carried out in phases.The project is part of an £9.15m investment in the BRI site by Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Improvement.