A new birthing suite is to be created at the Western Isles Hospital Maternity Unit, it has been confirmed.

The work is part of a modernisation programme for the hospital, NHS Western Isles has said.

Work commenced on the project this week following agreement on the preferred location for the suite and is expected to take around five months to complete. The suite will include a birthing pool, labour ward bed, toilet facilities and a shower.

It is anticipated that the birthing suite and pool will be available for use early next year.

Sandy Brown, NHS Western Isles Nurse Director, commented: "I am absolutely delighted to be able to confirm that the option of using a birthing pool will be available to women in Western Isles Hospital from early next year. There is no doubt that this has been a long-awaited development and one which I'm sure will be warmly welcomed.

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"Throughout this process, there has been an absolute acceptance by NHS Western Isles of the value and importance of being able to choose to use a birthing pool, and we have maintained a steadfast commitment to ensuring that this development progressed in a safe and effective way.

"We now have clear plans in place and the birthing pool will, importantly, be part of a wider purpose-built modern birthing suite, so that the installation of the pool is not a development in isolation. Rather, it will form a central part of a new modern suite aimed at improving the overall birthing experience for women in the Western Isles."

Ruth MacAlpine, Chairperson of the Western Isles Maternity Services Liaison Committee, added: "I am delighted to hear the news that work has now started on a new birthing suite which will include a birth pool. After a long time of waiting, this news will be very welcome to expectant mothers in the Western Isles who, from early next year will be able to choose a water birth.

"This will bring practice in the Western Isles in line with other maternity units across Scotland where the option of a water birth is already available."

(JP/IT)