CREWE’s Leighton Hospital has been recognised as providing women giving birth with the best available care.

The maternity unit’s rise to the highest possible standards have been described as a ‘meteoric achievement’ by health chiefs at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The unit recently underwent a thorough review and achieved the highest rating provided by the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST).

Pam Cornwall, Head of Midwifery at the Trust, said: “I am delighted that we have been awarded CNST Level 3, as it recognises that our patients are receiving an extremely high level of care.

“The rise to becoming a Level 3 Unit is a meteoric achievement, as a progression usually takes at least three years per level. However, we achieved Level 1 status in December 2010, Level 2 in March 2012, and now we have the highest available.

“I am extremely proud of the team that we have here at the Trust. It has been a mammoth journey and each and every team member has played their part in this success.

“They are amongst the most experienced and dedicated staff that I have ever worked with, and combined with our brand new facilities, I am thrilled that we can now say that the care provided here is officially amongst the safest in the country.”

The Maternity Unit at Leighton Hospital has undergone a thorough refurbishment over recent years.

The hospital now boasts a purpose-built midwifery-led unit attached to the main labour ward, with birthing pools, ambient mood lighting, en-suite facilities and a private courtyard accessible from each room.

A new high-dependency area was also created for women who require more intensive specialised care during labour, further increasing the safety of their care.

For further information on the Maternity services available at MCHFT visit mcht.nhs.uk/maternity.