Following the launch of the Clinical Services Review in October 2014, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) were invited in August 2015 to conduct an evaluation and options appraisal of maternity and children’s services across Dorset. The review made a number of recommendations and suggested changes were considered in the final proposals on which views were sought in late 2016 /early 2017.

Sometimes there are problems in childbirth for mothers and/or babies. Children and young people must also be able to access expert care quickly. By delivering consultant-led maternity and paediatric services from the Major Emergency Hospital in Bournemouth, parents will be able to access purpose built facilities which will see a large investment. Highly skilled on-site care will be available for babies and parents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In the west of the county we will seek to commission the delivery of consultant-led maternity and paediatric services integrated across Dorset County Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital for the Dorset population. This means that over the coming months, both hospitals will consider how this could work to offer the best for local families, with any plans being subject to further public consultation by both Dorset and Somerset CCGs.