THOUSANDS of Dudley women are set to benefit from a £41,000 revamp at Russells Hall Hospital’s maternity unit.

The Midwifery-led Unit (MLU) was reopened on May 21 by Royal College of Midwives (RCM) chief executive Professor Cathy Warwick CBE.

The unit, which deals with around 4,500 births each year, now has night beds for fathers and a range of new equipment for mums including birthing balls, stools, mats and bean bags.

The unit’s lighting has also been softened and new artwork added to create a more relaxed atmosphere.

Dudley Group’s head of midwifery, Steph Mansell, said: “Our priority is to help ensure all women who visit the unit have the very best possible care and the developments in the MLU will contribute to this greatly.”

Prof Cathy Warwick added: “I am sure the new facilities will be welcomed and well used by women in the area. The Trust and the midwifery team should be applauded for demonstrating such commitment in securing this investment in their maternity services. This year the Trust were the winners of an RCM award so we know what excellent work is being done to deliver better care and improve the experience for women in Dudley.”

The Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Alan Finch, has also been a hospital visitor to officially unveil a new outdoor gym at the borough’s Action Heart HQ.

Cllr Finch launched the new facility, based outside Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, on May 14.

The hospital site is believed to be the first in Britain to have unveiled its own Olympic Park-style outdoor gym.

The gym has 16 pieces of equipment, the same as items installed at London’s Olympic Village, the facility has been installed to encourage patients, visitors and staff to work out their way to a healthier lifestyle.