A new maternity unit will open at a Co Down hospital later this month.

The midwife-led facility at Downe Hospital in Downpatrick will be open 24 hours a day, according to a BBC report.

Plans exist to extend these hours to the weekend in the near future.

Women with normal pregnancies and no medical risk factors will be able to deliver their babies in the new unit, which hopes to serve 300 patients per year.

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"This is just another example of how the Downe is evolving to meet the needs of the community," said Chief Executive of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Hugh McCaughey.

"There has been a lot of publicity lately saying we are running services down. This is further evidence of our commitment to the Downe, and to improving services for the local community."

Downe Hospital opened in June last year, at a cost of £64m.

Last month the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust said it was considering closing bed and cutting services at the hospital due to staff shortages.

(NS/GK)