A new midwifery led unit has opened its doors at Lagan Valley hospital in Co Antrim.

The unit - in Lisburn - has been modelled on Dundonald's Ulster Hospital Maternity has three out of the four rooms with their own birthing pool and en-suite facilities

NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: "The opening of this newly refurbished midwifery led unit is good news for local women.

"This will be the second freestanding midwife led unit to open in Northern Ireland," he added.

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"The Downe Hospital midwifery unit has already been very successful and many women are actively choosing to have their babies in midwife led units.

"I expect the Lagan Valley unit will be just as popular with mothers-to-be as it will provide high quality care and offer real choice.

"The transfer from a consultant led inpatient service to the midwifery led service has been planned for some time.

"It is estimated that a large number of the 1,200 women each year who gave birth at Lagan Valley obstetric led unit, which only booked women with low to medium risk pregnancies, will be suitable to deliver in the new unit," he said.

The establishment of a midwifery led unit at Lagan Valley Hospital was announced on 18 March 2009.

(BMcC/GK)