PetersfieldÕs well-loved maternity unit is set to re-open its doors to expectant mothers at the end of the month.

The Grange unit at Petersfield Hospital was forced to close on August 7th because of staff sickness and a shortage of midwives.

But after a successful recruitment drive, the Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust will re-open the unit later this month.

The news will come as great relief to mums-to-be in the town after many were forced to travel to units further afield in August and September.

Women in labour will be able to go to The Grange from 8am on September 29, and women transferring for post-natal care from midday on the same day.

The trust said that 15 new midwives have been recruited and will have taken up their posts by September 22.

Trust spokeswoman Pat Forsyth said: ÒThe trust is sorry that some mothers wishing to use Grange Ward in August and September were disappointed.

ÒThroughout the summer, midwives have helped women to birth their babies in Blackbrook Maternity Home, the Mary Rose Unit at St MaryÕs Hospital or at home.

ÒAlthough this may not have been a first choice for some women, we are pleased that so many have been able to birth their babies in peripheral maternity units over the summer months.Ó

Donna Ockenden, head of midwifery at the trust, added: ÒI am really grateful to our staff for working so hard throughout the summer months, especially the Grange Ward team who were temporarily located in St MaryÕs Maternity Unit throughout August and September.Ó

Sarah Roberts, chairman of the Petersfield and Liss branch of the National Childbirth Trust, welcomed the news.

She said: ÒThe Grange is such a valuable facility for births and postnatal support. I hope that the NHS Trust has put measures in place to see that this does not happen again.Ó

Mrs Roberts also thanked parents across the town who had written to both the NHS trust and PetersfieldÕs MP Michael Mates in support of the unit.