If you have any queries, we recommend you call the helpline (number below). Alternatively you can contact us by email at maternity.helpline@southerntrust.hscni.net.

Anyone who wishes to self-refer for maternity care in Southern Trust should complete this form. Please email completed forms to antenatal.midwives@southerntrust.hscni.net.

If you have sent a self-referral form and haven’t had an appointment please reply to antenatal.midwives@southertrust.hscni.net or alternatively contact the helpline number below.

The Southern Trust calls are displayed as an unknown number so please answer any calls as this will help to ensure we are able to contact you and provide you with information about your appointments.

 

Helpline: 028 37563702

The helpline telephone number will be manned by staff Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-5pm.

 

Antenatal Care

Antenatal care is continuing with some changes. Please continue to attend your antenatal appointments as arranged. We will contact you if there is a change to your appointment. Please attend your appointment on your own as this will help us to protect you and our staff.

Unfortunately all our antenatal education classes and support groups have to be cancelled at this time but if you have any queries please contact us on the helpline (028 37563702) to discuss.

Virtual antenatal and postnatal education classes

Although group antenatal education classes may not be available in all Trusts, you don’t have to miss out. We can provide you with antenatal and postnatal education classes online. These virtual classes cover the same topics your face to face antenatal classes and are an excellent source of help and support in the postnatal period. Click here to find out more.

 

Care in labour and delivery

The maternity services we offer will be Trust-wide due to the pressure on the hospitals as a whole. This may mean that the hospital you booked in may be different to the one you delivered in. Your midwife and obstetrician will be able to update you when you see them at your antenatal visit or when they speak to you on the telephone. Midwifery led units will remain open as long as we can staff them. If you have any signs of the COVID-19 infection you will be looked after in an obstetric led unit and be offered extra monitoring in labour.

 

Breastfeeding

In the midst of this pandemic, breastmilk remains the safest and most protective method to feed all infants. To help to encourage and support you to breast feed or provide breastmilk for your baby during this challenging time of social distancing please visit the Southern Health and Social Care Trust’s website to find some useful resources and links which may help.

 

Postnatal Care

You will continue to be seen by your community midwife who will contact you to arrange with you when and where you will be seen. Appointments will be tailored as required for each mother and baby.

Following regional recommendations, Hospital visiting is now restricted to 1 birthing partner in labour. This person will not be able to accompany the mother to the postnatal ward. Discharge home will be as soon as mother and baby are well to be discharged and this could be between 6-24 hours.

To read the latest guidance on Visiting in Care Settings in Northern Ireland see: COVID-19 regional principles for visiting maternity services in Northern Ireland

 

Southern Trust maternity services

Find out more about the Southern Trust maternity services here.

 

Contact numbers

  • Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit – 028 3756 0293 (Craigavon Area Hospital)
  • Admission & Assessment Unit – 028 37561830 (Craigavon Area Hospital), 028 37562788 (Daisy Hill Hospital)
  • Antenatal/Postnatal Ward – 028 37561740 (Craigavon Area Hospital), 028 37562735 (Daisy Hill Hospital)
  • Midwifery Led Unit – 028 37561730 (Craigavon Area Hospital)
  • Health Visiting Infant Feeding Helpline – 07342065152.
  • Health Visiting (Newry & Mourne) – 028 37566327. This line has a voicemail available 24hrs and admin are available Mon- Fri 9am-5pm covering the following areas’ Health Visiting bases – Newry City, Bessbrook, Rathfriland, Warrenpoint, Crossmaglen, Newtownhamilton and Kilkeel.
  • Health Visiting (Banbridge) – 028 406 20070. Covers Banbridge, Gilford, Dromore and Brownlow.
  • Health Visiting (Lurgan) – 028 37 560222 or 028 37 560223. In the event that the admin staff would be re-deployed my direct line (Katrina Knipe) is 02837 562276 and facility manager Sonya Beattie is 02837 560221.
  • Health Visiting (Portadown & Tandragee) – 028 37 560489.
  • Health Visiting (Dundannon) – 028 37 565516 / 028 37 565517. Covers Dungannon, Coalisland, Ballygawley and Clogher.
  • Health Visiting (Armagh) – 028 37 521575. Covers Armagh City, Tynan, Moy, Keady, Richill and Markethill.

Advice and guidance for the most commonly asked questions

What is COVID-19?

How to prevent the spread of infection

Coronavirus infection and pregnancy

Q&A information for pregnant women and their families

Early pregnancy services

Virtual antenatal and postnatal education classes

How to access online antenatal and postnatal education classes

Antenatal care

Advice regarding appointments or urgent visits to clinics and hospitals

Planning for birth

Postnatal care

Postnatal visits and infant feeding advice

Child health services

Health visiting and Family Nurse Partnership