HRH The Princess Royal visits Grampian maternity unit

on 05 April 2022

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Inverurie’s Community Maternity Unit (ICMU) at NHS Grampian as part of her role as the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Patron.

The Princess Royal was given a tour around the unit and met with midwives, healthcare support workers and families.

During her visit she saw the Day Assessment Unit, the Scanning Room and one of the unit’s birthing rooms. Accompanying her was RCM’s President Rebeccah Davies, Director for Scotland Jaki Lambert, NHS Grampian Interim Chairman Dr John Tomlinson and Deputy Chief Executive Adam Coldwells.

The ICMU was opened in 2019, providing maternity services to women and babies across Aberdeenshire. It’s also used as a base for community midwives. Since opening, the maternity unit has seen 339 births, with 37 of them homebirths.

RCM Director for Scotland, Jaki lambert, said: “Not long after the unit opened the pandemic hit, which staff on the unit coped with magnificently. It was so lovely to see the staff speaking to HRH The Princess Royal about how much a part of the community the unit has become, and how they worked through the pandemic to keep services going. They talked with great pride about their work and the care and services they provide for women in the area. This is such a great honour for the whole team here, and a well-deserved one.”

At the end of the tour, the Princess Royal unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit to the maternity unit which is now available on display.

Interim Chair of NHS Grampian, John Tomlinson, added: “It was a pleasure to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to Inverurie Community Maternity Unit. I know staff were delighted to have the opportunity to speak to her and highlight the vital role played by our midwifery teams."

Photo credit: The Royal College of Midwives