£8 million invested in Women's Centre improvements

Women, babies and families receiving care at the Women's Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital will benefit from improved clinical environments, enhanced patient safety and greater service resilience as part of an £8 million investment by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH).

The programme, largely supported by funding from the Department of Health and Social Care's national Estates Safety Programme, will see the installation of new air handling systems serving maternity, gynaecology, and neonatal services, alongside a new resilient power supply for the neonatal unit.

A further £437,500 from OUH's capital programme is funding the replacement of part of the maternity roof.

The improvements will provide better temperature control and air quality, helping to create a more comfortable environment for patients, visitors and staff. They will also strengthen infection prevention measures, improve reliability in critical clinical areas, and support the Trust's sustainability ambitions through more energy-efficient systems.

As part of the project, the neonatal unit will receive a new isolated and uninterruptible power supply, helping to ensure critical equipment remains operational even in the event of a mains power interruption.

Milica Redfearn, Director of Midwifery at OUH, said: "These improvements will benefit the everyone who use our services every day. The investment will help provide a more comfortable environment for patients while strengthening the resilience of our maternity and neonatal services for the future. Thousands of women, babies and families rely on these services every year, and this investment will help ensure they continue to receive care in safe, modern and resilient facilities."

Yvonne Christley, Chief Nursing Officer at OUH, said: "This is a significant investment in the future of our Women's Centre and the services delivered there every day including maternity, gynaecology, and neonatal services. The work will help ensure that our babies, patients, and families continue to receive care in safe clinical environments with modern standards, while improving resilience and sustainability across some of our most critical services.

"Much of the existing infrastructure has served the hospital for more than five decades. By replacing it now, we are reducing the risk of future disruption and providing facilities that meet current healthcare standards for years to come."

A large crane is currently being used to lift equipment from Car Park 2A to the Women's Centre roof and will remain on site until early September 2026 as part of the upgrade works.

During crane lifts, which take place several times a day, the Level 2 main entrance to the Women's Centre will be temporarily closed for short periods. Patients and visitors are asked to use the Outpatients entrance near Car Park 2 during these times. Traffic marshals will be on hand to assist anyone who requires urgent access.

Work began on site in June 2026, and is expected to be completed in summer 2027.