A brand new family-focused labour ward will soon be unveiled at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Opening this September as part of the new women and children's building, the modern ward has been shaped by input from local families.

It combines advanced medical facilities with a welcoming and supportive environment for childbirth.

"We have listened to local families and worked hard to create a space that truly meets their needs," said Claire Davies, head of midwifery at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

"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 new ward will feature eight spacious birthing rooms with en-suite facilities (Image via: The Countess of Chester Hospital)

Each year nearly 2,000 families receive care from the hospital's expert labour team.

The new ward is designed to offer a "home-from-home" experience, blending a warm environment with cutting-edge technology to ensure every birth is as safe and "special as possible".

It has been thoughtfully designed with input from local families, frontline hospital staff and the Chester community - offering families an 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.

There will also be two fully equipped obstetric theatres to ensure high-risk or emergency deliveries are managed with the highest standards of safety.

It includes upgraded birthing pool rooms, including two midwifery-led pools and one consultant-led pool - designed for a calm environment during water births. The pools are equipped with slip-resistant surfaces, better temperature control and enhanced accessibility.

New cots have also been designed with adjustable features to improve comfort and accessibility for both parents and newborns.

The new ward is designed to offer a home from home experience (Image via: The Countess of Chester Hospital)

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.

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.