Unit delivers 420 babies in first month

MORE than 400 babies were born in the Lothians’ new birthing unit in its first month of operation, it has emerged.

NHS Lothian’s £2.8 million facility opened in October for mothers expecting straightforward births.

Health chiefs said the centre, based beside the normal maternity unit at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, had welcomed 420 tots into the world.

Frances McGuire, clinical midwifery manager for NHS Lothian, acknowledged there had been some problems, adding: “Childbirth can be unpredictable and we often have plenty of challenges along the way.

“We had to contend with a power cut last year during the hurricane-force storms, but we adapt as we have been trained to do in order to maintain excellent levels of care.”