The changing face of maternity care at Airedale hospital was celebrated on Monday at the official opening of a new-look maternity ward.

The ward has undergone a facelift costing £150,000, following the decision to reduce two maternity wards to one. Shorter hospital stays and more staff working in the community, in line with national trends, have brought a reduction in demand for beds.

Former Airedale NHS Trust vice-chairman Pam Essler declared open the refurbished ward which features security alarms fitted to babies' cots.

A family room provided to allow people suffering still births or miscarriages to grieve in private has been dedicated to the memory of midwife Ursula Dodson. It was opened by her widower Chris in recognition of donations made in her memory towards the cost. The total bill for the creation of the room, which Ursula worked for, was £10,000. Donations in her memory and by Marks and Spencer came to £5,500.

The official opening was part of Airedale NHS Trust's celebrations of the health service's golden jubilee year.

Pictured above with a plaque marking the opening are, left to right, Mrs Essler, Trust director Denise Arnott, ward manager Sandra Legg, head of midwifery Liz Calvert and midwifery sister Chris Baynham.

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