Inside the Countess’s new Labour Ward: A first look at the family-focused birth space

Patients having a baby at the Countess of Chester Hospital from September will experience a brand-new, family-focused Labour Ward, designed with their comfort and safety in mind.

The modern ward, opening as part of the new Women and Children’s Building, has been revealed today. Shaped by input from local families, it combines advanced medical facilities with a welcoming, supportive environment for childbirth.

Each year, nearly 2,000 families receive care from the hospital’s expert labour team, with 24/7 midwifery and medical support. The new ward is designed to offer a “home-from-home” experience, blending a warm, welcoming environment with cutting-edge technology to ensure every birth is as safe, supported, and special as possible.

Thoughtfully designed with input from local families, frontline hospital staff, and the Chester community, the ward responds directly to their needs and wishes. It will offer families a comfortable, family-centred environment where privacy, support, and comfort are at the forefront.

The new ward will feature:

• Eight spacious birthing rooms with en-suite facilities, designed for privacy and comfort during labour and delivery
• Two fully equipped obstetric theatres to ensure high-risk or emergency deliveries are managed with the highest standards of safety
• Three upgraded birthing pool rooms, including two midwifery-led pools and one consultant-led pool, designed for a calm environment during water births, equipped with slip-resistant surfaces, better temperature control, and enhanced accessibility
• New cots designed with adjustable features to improve comfort and accessibility for both parents and newborns.

Feedback from local families has directly influenced the design of the new ward, addressing needs such as more privacy, better support for birth partners and clearer information. In response, families will benefit from flexible visiting times, with birth partners allowed to stay overnight and without restricted visiting times. Personalised visiting arrangements will also be available to tailor the visiting for support networks to meet individual family needs.

Claire Davies, Head of Midwifery at the Countess of Chester Hospital, said: 

“We have listened to local families and worked hard to create a space that truly meets their needs. The new Labour Ward reflects the voices of the families we care for, providing a supportive and comfortable environment where they can bring their babies into the world.”

The Labour Ward will officially open from September, as part of the new Women and Children’s Building, which will house all Women and Children’s services under one roof.

Pictured - Labour Ward - Birthing Pool Room.