HRH The Princess Royal visits maternity wing at The Royal Cornwall Hospital

on 29 July 2019

Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal visited the Alexandra Maternity Wing at The Royal Cornwall Hospital, meeting midwives, maternity support workers and students, as royal recognition of the work carried out at the maternity unit.

During the visit, HRH The Princess Royal attended a reception where she met 50 members of staff and unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.

She was also given a tour of the maternity unit, including the new birthing centre which was opened in 2017.

Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), Gill Walton, and Head of Midwifery at The Royal Cornwall Hospital, Jean Urben, were in attendance to welcome HRH The Princess Royal.

Speaking about the visit, Gill Walton said: “Maternity services at The Royal Cornwall Hospital is a brilliant example of a dynamic maternity team, that despite geographical and economic challenges, have consistently worked hard to make necessary improvements.”

The Alexandra Maternity Wing was first opened by Princess Alexandra. HRH The Princess Royal is the first royal to visit the unit since then.

Head of Midwifery, Jean Urben, added: “We have has an absolutely fantastic day; it’s been such an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness into our maternity service and to talk to her about all the work the midwifery team has been doing and how we have been involving local parents.

“The Royal College of Midwives has been really supporting us and put us forward for this visit so that we can celebrate what we have achieved to improve care for women, babies, families and our staff. It was a wonderful opportunity to also show off the brilliant facilities we have in our midwife-led Birth Centre and the newly refurbished delivery suite.”