Maternity website offers a virtual tour of Kingston (From Surrey Comet)
Contact us: Got a photo? Text 'SLPICS' to 80360. Got a story? Call the newsdesk: 020 8744 4262
The future of Kingston Hospital is under discussion after leaked evidence from a confidential south-west London-wide review of the NHS backed up MPs claims that closure of the thriving A+E and maternity units was being considered.
Out of 18 options decided on before Christmas by clinicians carrying out the review, 16 involved the loss of a major service at Kingston.
Liberal Democrat MPs have launched a "Save Kingston Hospital Campaign" while Tories say they are not convinced of the threat, but are promising to halt the review if David Cameron comes to power.
To make up your mind keep visiting the Surrey Comet for all the latest news on the hospital.
If you have an opinion or a question you would like to put to the NHS about the review, email Surrey Comet chief reporter David Lindsell at dlindsell@london.newsquest.co.uk
Maternity website offers a virtual tour of Kingston
10:28am Friday 26th March 2010 in
Kingston Hospital has set up a new website to promote its maternity unit.
Last year 5,803 babies were born at Kingston Hospital - more than any other hospital in south-west London.
The website provides a wealth of information about the care women can expect to receive and even offers a virtual tour of the maternity unit.
Women can also use the website to self-refer themselves to Kingston Hospital instead of going through their GP.
Lynn Smith, head of midwifery at Kingston Hospital, said: "It is hoped that women will use the website throughout their pregnancy to access information about the different stages of pregnancy, labour and postnatal care.
"It will be used as a two-way communication mechanism, with the hospital being able to communicate news, such as bad weather conditions and the impact on services."
The website also advises expectant mothers who are anxious about the unit's future that "closure is not imminent".
Although rated as weak for maternity, along with the other hospitals in south west London, chief executive Kate Grimes has criticised the statistics used by the review, praising patient care by midwives and pointing to the rating's failure in "ethnic coding".
See the website at kingstonmaternity.org.uk
More Kingston Hospital under threat stories
- Tory meeting on future of Kingston Hospital this weekend
- David Cameron aims to halt healthcare review
- Kingston Hospital wins £2m funding battle
- MPs petition to save Kingston Hospital
- Email review team and ask to be kept informed about future of Kingston Hospital
- Graphic view of the NHS
- Does St Helier plan mean Kingston Hospital cut?
- Tories would "rip-up" review of NHS in south-west London
- NHS London chief executive admits radical changes will be controversial
- 'A fight on their hands' - MPs call meeting over Kingston Hospital threat
Maternity website offers a virtual tour of Kingston
Most popular
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
