Whilst there is no longer an inpatient maternity service at the Downe hospital, mothers to be can be booked for delivery at Lagan Valley Hospital, Royal Jubilee Maternity Unit, Ulster Hospital, Daisy Hill Hospital or, if appropriate, a home delivery service can be provided.

However, ante natal care is provided by midwives and obstetricians in the Downpatrick Maternity Clinic which is located in McFadden House adjacent to the main hospital.

This unit operates 9am -5pm Monday to Friday and can be used by any woman from the Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, Killyleagh and surrounding districts. Referrals may be made by a GP, midwife or the hospital booked for delivery. A 24 hour advice line is available by calling 028 44 613311.

Supervisors of midwives are experienced practising midwives who have undertaken additional education and training to support guide and supervise midwives. Every midwife must have a named supervisor of midwives.

Supervisors are independent of the employer; their role is to maintain safe practice, to ensure protection of you, your baby and family. They meet regularly with midwives to ensure a high standard of care is provided.

Whilst the supervisor will support the midwife in the care she gives you, the supervisor can additionally help you by:

Listening and advocating on concerns you may have about your care or your midwife.
Supporting and advising you on your care choices.
Ensuring there is good communication between you and your midwife about your care choices.
Discussing with you any unhappiness you have with your birth experience, outcome or treatment.
Protect the public by ensuring midwives display acceptable conduct and competences in their work and respond to any complaints were issues of either conduct or competence are raised.

A supervisor of midwives is on call 24 hours a day within this unit. Telephone Lagan Valley Hospital on 028 92 665141 Ward 10, when you ask to speak to a supervisor of midwives staff on the ward or at switchboard will take your contact details and contact the on call supervisor for your area who will promptly return your call.

Zoe Boreland
Sarah Rankin
Mary Gillespie
Maureen Ritchie
Paula Mc Conn
Teresa Mc Dowell
Assunta Morgan

L-R: Mary Gillespie & Lisa Megarry

L-R: Mary Gillespie & Lisa Megarry

Back row R-R: Zoe Boreland, Maureen Ritchie, Paula Mc Conn, Sarah Rankin,
Front row L-R: Teresa Mc Dowell, Assunta Morgan, Mary Gillespie.

Back row R-R: Zoe Boreland, Maureen Ritchie, Paula McConn, Sarah Rankin,

Front row L-R: Teresa McDowell, Assunta Morgan, Mary Gillespie.

For more information on supervisors of midwives visit www.nmc-uk.org.or call 020 7333 9333