Poole maternity unit to close its doors

It’s goodbye to St Mary’s Maternity Unit in Poole, which for the past 64 years been responsible for the arrival of around 250,000 babies.

The unit is soon set to close its doors for the final time. On Saturday 5 April from 10am–1pm, members of the public are welcome to visit areas of the unit and join maternity and neonatal staff members for a trip down memory lane.

Along with access to areas of Antenatal, Haven, and Labour Ward, guests will also have an opportunity to find out about the future of maternity services which will be located in the new BEACH (Births, Emergency And Critical care and children’s Health) Building on the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site.

Kerry Taylor, University Hospitals Dorset’s head of Midwifery and Neonatal Services, said: “We are so excited to be moving to the BEACH building but acknowledge that many local families and staff from the past and present will be sad to see the doors to St Mary’s Maternity Unit close for a final time.”