New maternity theatre opens at Oxford University Hospitals

Women being cared for at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will benefit from improved services following the opening of a new maternity theatre at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

The new Delivery Suite theatre at the Oxford hospital is part of an NHS England initiative to give more patients world-class care in world-class facilities.

It was opened today, Wednesday 29 July.

As part of the work, a former procedure room in maternity has been upgraded and refurbished to provide a new operating theatre equipped to modern standards. 

Facilities on the postnatal ward have also been improved, allowing the creation of a dedicated area for women who require an elective (planned) caesarean birth. Staff will also benefit from a renovated staff room, funded by Oxford Hospitals Charity.

Sam Foster, Chief Nursing Officer at the Trust, said: "I am very pleased that the fantastic new maternity theatre at the John Radcliffe Hospital is now open.

"This new theatre enables us to provide exceptional, personalised care to every woman who chooses to have her baby with us.

"Women will be able to give birth here in a wonderful, warm and caring environment, safe in the knowledge that all the best medical expertise and equipment is on hand should they need it. We’re proud to be able to offer such a brilliant service to all mothers."

Catherine Greenwood, Clinical Director for Maternity, said: "We are really pleased that we now have an additional theatre and improved space for high risk women who require a caesarean section.

"Care for women in the Thames Valley with high-risk pregnancies is based in Oxford; therefore, we are delighted to provide the best surgical facilities we can for the women who require our care. Overall, this project will help improve the patient pathway and experience.

"The teamwork among staff has been exceptional and I would like to thank everyone for their professionalism and patient care during the temporary arrangements. They have all gone above and beyond what was expected."

The Department of Health confirmed the funding of the £1.8 million project in 2018, following a successful bid by Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (BOB STP) for government funding for the NHS in the region.

Douglas Graham, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: "We know what a difference it makes to staff in our hospitals to have a comfortable space to take their breaks in. 

"It helps them have a moment of calm to recharge and relax before continuing their work, and also raises morale – which has obvious benefits for both them and directly for our patients. 

"So the charity was delighted to be able to support this project by funding improvements to the staff room, and as always we are hugely grateful to our charity donors who make work like this possible."


Pictured: From left, Alison Goulden Moultesinos, Anaesthetic and Recovery Clinical Facilitator; Hazel Threlfall, Clinical Midwifery Manager, Delivery Suite/Maternity Assessment Unit and Observation Area; Tatiana Dan, Senior Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurse; Catherine Greenwood, Consultant Obstetrician, Clinical Director for Maternity; Desi Choi, Consultant Anaesthetist, Clinical Lead for Obstetric Anaesthesia.