Exciting news for expecting parents – new maternity and neonatal unit at Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Big things are happening in April 2025 at University Hospitals Dorset. A brand new maternity and neonatal unit is set to open at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s BEACH building. This state-of-the-art unit will replace the current facility at Poole Hospital, bringing the latest amenities and exceptional care to expecting parents in east Dorset.

The new facility will offer everything parents need for a smooth journey from pregnancy to birth and beyond. The UHD team are focused on making sure parents-to-be and their families feel comfortable, safe, and well taken care of. With state-of-the art equipment and a dedicated team, the maternity and neonatal team are ready to welcome over 4,400 babies a year into this modern, welcoming environment.

What to expect:

  • Comprehensive care – full range of maternity services, including antenatal, birth, and postnatal care.

  • Expertise – a dedicated, experienced team providing personalised care.

  • Family-centred approach – emphasis on involving partners and families in the birthing experience.

  • State-of-the-art facilities – modern amenities ensuring safety and comfort.

  • Personalised experience – tailored services to meet individual needs and preferences.

BEACH building artist impression

The move is part of the plan to focus all emergency care at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, providing better, faster care for everyone. This will mean fewer patient transfers between hospitals, less stress on the county’s ambulance service, and better outcomes for expecting parents and their babies.

Commenting on the announcement, Kerry Taylor, UHD’s head of midwifery said:

“We know our expecting parents have been waiting a long time for this, and we’re so excited to bring these new services to Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

“It will be sad to leave our current site at St Mary’s, but from April 2025, we will have a brighter future in our new enhanced, modern, and updated birthing environment.”

Rachel Filmer, Dorset’s maternity and neonatal voices lead representative added:

“We are so excited about the new building and know it will have such a positive impact on the experiences of local families accessing maternity and neonatal services.

“We have been involved in the design of the new site since Dorset Maternity Voices was established in 2017, and we can’t wait for local parents to experience everything the new building has to offer.”

maternity team visit photo

To support the move NHS Dorset has launched a new marketing campaign, ‘Born at the BEACH’, to keep the public informed leading up to the opening in April 2025. Stay informed with the latest updates leading up to the opening at Maternity Matters Dorset or on the UHD website.

The BEACH Building (standing for Births, Emergency care, And, Critical care and child Health) is a 22,650m², six-storey facility dedicated to patient care. In addition to the new maternity and neonatal unit, it includes a children’s unit, an enhanced emergency department, and a larger critical care facility.