Royal visit for Inverurie maternity unit from HRH The Princess Royal
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Inverurie’s Community Maternity Unit (ICMU) was treated to a royal visit on Saturday from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Patron, HRH The Princess Royal.
The Princess Royal toured the unit meeting midwives, healthcare support workers other maternity staff and families.
Along the way she visited the Day Assessment Unit, the Scanning Room and one of the unit’s birth rooms.
Accompanying her on the visit were the RCM’s President Rebeccah Davies and Director for Scotland Jaki Lambert, along with NHS Grampian interim chairman Dr John Tomlinson and deputy chief executive Adam Coldwells.
RCM Scotland director Jaki Lambert said: “Not long after the unit opened the pandemic hit, which staff on the unit coped with magnificently.
"It was so lovely to see the staff speaking to HRH The Princess Royal about how much a part of the community the unit has become, and how they worked through the pandemic to keep services going.
"They talked with great pride about their work and the care and services they provide for women in the area.
"This is such a great honour for the whole team here, and a well-deserved one.”
The ICMU opened in 2019 delivering maternity services to women from across Aberdeenshire.
It is also a base for midwives working in the unit and out in the community, offering antenatal and postnatal care for women along with the choice a birth in the unit or at home.
It also has consultant clinics, and specialist clinics supporting women with perinatal mental health problems.
It’s a busy unit and since opening has seen 339 births – 37 of them homebirths.
Interim chairperson of NHS Grampian John Tomlinson said: "It was a pleasure to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to Inverurie Community Maternity Unit.
"I know staff were delighted to have the opportunity to speak to her and highlight the vital role played by our midwifery teams."
At the end of the tour the Princess Royal unveiled a special plaque to commemorate her visit, which will be displayed in the unit
