THE Countess of Chester Hospital has commissioned the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) to provide a new educational programme to support expectant parents who have chosen to have their baby delivered at the hospital.Š

The Department of Health has specified that antenatal education should play a bigger role in the public health strategy.

As a result, the Countess is adopting a programme called Preparation for birth and early parenthood, to support expectant parents who have chosen to deliver at its maternity unit.

It will be led by qualified NCT antenatal teachers, giving parents the opportunity to ask questions and make informed decisions about labour and birth.

The package includes a DVD called A Journey through your Pregnancy, which was filmed and edited at the hospital with the co-operation of local mums and their families.

The DVD is a virtual tour of the maternity unit, promoting the services and facilities it offers.

The decision by the hospital to commission the NCT to provide the programme is the first time a contract of its kind has been signed in the North West and is already proving to be a success.

It is hoped that using the DVD for communicating information about the unit will also cut the risk of infection in the hospital due to a reduced number of people entering and leaving the maternity unit.

Copies of the DVD can be requested viaŠcommunity midwives. For further details or information on parent education classes, contact Janet Beech or Maryellen Dean on 01244 365401.