WORK on a new maternity unit for mothers is on schedule.

The new midwifery-led unit at Scarborough Hospital is due to open in June, offering mothers from Ryedale a “home-from-home style birth experience”.

Once the new unit is opened, the maternity unit at Malton Hospital will close, and mothers will be given the choice of having their babies either at Scarborough, York or at home.

This decision comes despite a lengthy campaign by the Gazette & Herald to keep Malton’s maternity unit open.

The new purpose-designed unit at Scarborough Hospital will be a “low-technology environment”, supervised by midwives, offering mothers natural, home-style births.

Two rooms will be equipped with a birthing pool, all will have en-suite facilities, and one room will include a wardrobe, bed and bed settee.

As the unit is next door to the hospital’s main delivery ward, women can see a consultant quickly if complications occur.

Women are also welcome to bring complementary therapists, such as acupuncturists, aromatherapists and reflexologists in with them as desired.

Freya Oliver, acting head of midwifery at Scarborough Hospital, said: “Work on the unit is continuing to progress to schedule and it is really starting to take shape. We have begun to recruit midwives to join our team and are currently trying to work out what to call the unit – so would welcome any suggestions from the public.”

Suggestions for what to name the ward can be emailed to rebecca.aspin@acute.sney.nhs.uk