At the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, around 13 babies are born each day, according to recent statistics from the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
The Trust, which operates the hospital and serves the surrounding areas of Reading, Wokingham, Newbury, and West Berkshire, is the main provider of maternity services in these regions.
On average, one baby is born daily at the hospital’s Rushey Unit, which offers four rooms designed to provide comfort and relaxation for women in labor. Another baby is typically delivered from home within the Trust’s care area.
This totals approximately 4,600 deliveries each year.
The statistics are part of a report on efforts to address inequalities in maternity care, shared in an infographic titled “A Day in Maternity Services.” The graphic features an image of a woman in a birthing pool at the Rushey Unit, supported by a nurse.
To help reduce maternity care disparities, the Trust is piloting a new translation service that offers patients access to an online translator 24/7. In addition, the Trust is improving maternity appointment booking for Black women and working with local leaders to ensure these women have their appointments before 10 weeks of pregnancy.
The Trust collaborates with the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE) and Community Health Champion volunteers, who provide support and advice to patients.
The report also highlights the work of the Trust’s teams for women who experience child loss. In 2022, the Rainbow Team supported 58 women who lost their children, including two stillbirths. In 2023, the team cared for 63 women, with one stillbirth.
The Trust also offers the Poppy Team, which assists women and couples with mental health issues and neurodiverse patients.
Along with the Rushey Unit, the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s Buscot Ward cares for premature babies and those requiring medical attention due to illness.
These figures were shared ahead of a presentation by Christine Harding, Director of Midwifery at the Trust, to Reading Borough Council’s Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, and Education Committee on Wednesday, January 15.
Related topics:
