Wantage Maternity Unit back open for births

Women in Wantage and the surrounding areas can now choose to give birth at Wantage Maternity Unit, based in Wantage Community Hospital, which reopened on Monday 9 November 2020.

The unit, run by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been closed to births since March 2020 to carry out refurbishment works, including creating additional clinic space and redecoration to improve the care offered to women.

Ali Cuthbertson, Head of Midwifery at the Trust, said: "Women were always able to receive antenatal and postnatal care at the unit during the closure, but can now give birth there again. Reopening the unit also allows continuity of care for women and families in Wantage."

The team at the unit care for women from across the Vale of White Horse, including Wantage, Abingdon, Faringdon, Southmoor, and all the surrounding villages, working closely with the Abingdon midwifery team.

Kate Bell, Maternity Support Worker and Project Manager, said: "We are so pleased that our unit is back open. It's another option for women in the area where they can give birth, meaning they can stay closer to home if they want.

"This project would not have been possible without the help of so many of our community supporters, especially League of Friends Wantage, Simon Powis Kitchens, Oxford City Flooring, Reeds of Wantage and David Seymour. We are incredibly grateful for their time and generosity."

For more information, please visit the Wantage Maternity Unit web page.