The first patients have been welcomed to a new maternity triage area and maternity assessment unit at the James Paget.
The triage area and maternity assessment unit opened this morning, Tuesday 6 January 2026, providing purpose-built accommodation immediately next to the hospital’s maternity ward, bringing together services previously delivered separately on the delivery suite and antenatal clinic.
The new facilities provide care for those who are pregnant and those who have recently given birth, offering faster assessment and prioritisation of urgent or complex cases, as well as;
- a calmer, more spacious environment which provides privacy and dignity through an individual rapid assessment area
- dedicated monitoring spaces allowing timely observations and fetal surveillance
- improved infection prevention and control through modern design standards such as limited exposure to non-maternity patients
- facilities designed to support mobility needs, neurodiversity and cultural requirements.
“It’s a big upgrade from what we had before – and will provide a better experience for our patients,” said Triage Midwife Cat Shepherd, who was on duty for the first morning.
“It’s more modern and spacious, has a waiting area which offers greater privacy for patients – and an office where staff can speak confidentially with patients over the phone.”
Courtney was one of the first patients to receive care in the new Triage area. “It all looks so welcoming and professional” she said. “I was greeted and seen immediately, and the space is lovely.”
Staff from the hospital’s Division of Surgery, Women’s and Children’s Services attended the official opening of the new facilities, marking the completion of a project which has seen a complete refurbishment of the maternity ward area.
Having a purpose-built maternity triage enables maternity services to provide care in line with national guidance from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England.
The triage area is open 24/7 and uses the nationally recognised Birmingham Symptom-specific Obstetric Triage System (BSOTS) to ensure pregnant women are assessed quickly and safely, prioritising care based on clinical need. A cake featuring the BSOTS acronym was baked by midwife Michelle Howard to celebrate the opening of the unit.
The new unit is next to Ward 11, which is on the first floor of the hospital; there are stairs located around the ground floor and lifts available if required. Maternity Triage is open 24/7 and the Maternity Assessment Unit Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm. Telephone 01493 452480.
