Maternity facilities are to be improved at Stafford Hospital thanks to a £40,000 grant.
The hospital was one of more than 100 to successfully bid for a share of £25 million of Government funds to improve maternity services across the country.
The money will be used to improve facilities for new dads, providing some dads the opportunity to stay in the hospital with their partners overnight. New comfortable chairs will also be introduced into each of the delivery rooms.
Anne Mellor, head of midwifery at the Trust, said: “We are delighted that we were successful in our bid.
“The money will help us to alter areas within the maternity area to allow some new dads to remain with their partners overnight, and to introduce comfortable reclining chairs for each of our delivery rooms.
“Supporting new parents, both before and after birth, is crucial to helping children to get the best start in life. For new mums, a simple thing like having their partners there to support them overnight can make a huge difference to the birthing experience they have.”
The Government opened the £25 million fund to applications from local NHS trusts and foundation trusts in November. Applications for funding have only been approved where there was evidence that local mums and dads wanted the changes. Bids were judged by a panel that included representatives from the Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.