New Spending on Sick Women and Children

North Devon District Hospital's services for women and children are getting a £1 million revamp.


The project will create a modern centre for  treating women and children, bringing the services together under one roof in The Ladywell Unit.

It'll include: a new day case and procedure unit for gynaecology patients, allowing the development of new procedures and the treatment of more patients as day cases; a new Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) with modern facilities and accommodation for families; and  a new children’s ward co-located with the SCBU

These three new wards will be housed under one roof, clustering similar patients and services together that are currently in different parts of the NDDH site. This will allow staff to share skills and best practice to the benefit of all patients.

The recently refurbished Bassett and Labour ward will remain in the Ladywell Unit, where 1,600 babies are born each year.

There are also plans for the future which involve updating the outpatient areas of the Ladywell Unit, providing more child and family-friendly facilities.

Kate Lyons, Director of Operations tells Heart: “This is a really exciting development.  We strive to provide the highest quality care and we are looking forward to opening the doors on a revamped, modernised unit that will bring many benefits to staff, patients and their families.