MIDWIVES and staff at a North Yorkshire maternity ward have opened their doors to the general public for the first time to showcase the services that are still available for women and babies.

The Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, opened its doors today (Thursday, May 28) to allow people to see the work that goes on at the unit since it became a midwife-led last October.

Among the visitors was Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, who officially opened the centre and met the team who work there.

The centre is run by a team of midwives who provide individual care to women with straightforward pregnancies.

To date more than 150 babies have been born there and partners are also welcome to stay in the en-suite rooms during and after the birth.

Deborah Hebblethwaite, a midwife and the maternity centre’s manager, said: “I think there are still some people out there who think we’re not here anymore but we are, we have a great team and we want to shout about it.

“Opening the unit for the afternoon is a great way to share what we do with the local community.”

Women with high risk pregnancies can still receive outpatient antenatal care at the Friarage with a consultant obstetrician – but they would need to deliver in a consultant-led obstetric unit.

Ms Warwick said: “The facilities are first class and I am sure they will be welcomed and well used by women in the area, as indeed they already are with more than 150 births so far.”