A NEW midwife-led birth centre in Worcester has been officially named by a mum who gave birth at Worcestershire Royal Hospital last year.

Rachel Spencer’s suggestion to name the new unit, which is due to open later this year, Meadow Birth Centre won approval from a board of midwives and hospital representatives.

Ms Spencer, who previously worked for the county’s acute hospitals NHS trust as a sonographer, gave birth to her son Rupert at the hospital 14 months ago and said she was pleased her suggestion won out over more than 70 entries.

“I’m not normally lucky with competitions, so this is a great surprise,” she said.

“When Rupert was born at Worcestershire Royal all the staff were lovely. I couldn’t fault my experience here.

“All these new plans for the birth centre sound so exciting.

“They can only further improve the already great care women receive here.”

She has been awarded a £100 gift voucher donated by Worcestershire Hospitals SPC plc.

Divisional director of nursing and midwifery at the trust Patti Paine said choosing a winner had proven a difficult task.

“We chose Meadow Birth Centre as it conjures up a serene and natural picture in the mind, which is very much the ethos of the centre,” she said.

Work on the centre is due to start in the next few weeks and the first women are expected to deliver their babies there by November.

The four-bed unit will be run by experienced midwives and will cater to mothers-to-be who have had no complications or medical problems during their pregnancy.

For more information visit www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/meadowbirthcentre.