An eight-bed maternity assessment unit at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children (CHWC) opens tomorrow (October 13).

The new unit is part of the hospital’s $50 million expansion project, and will employ an extra eight full-time midwives.

ACT Health Minister Stephen-Smith said the new unit, for women who require pregnancy-related assessment, will double the size of the current service.

“This midwifery-led maternity unit will now provide eight bed spaces and has been relocated to be closer to the Birthing Unit, improving service efficiencies for women in need of pregnancy-related assessments,” ACT Health Minister Stephen-Smith said.

“Canberra Health Services has also introduced a new model of care to accompany the new maternity unit, with a 24-hour, seven days a week service and a triaged-based system to ensure pregnant people get the right service at the right time.”

A new Gynaecology Day Unit, including a procedure suite, will also officially open tomorrow at the CHWC.

A refurbished paediatric high care ward and new clinical administration building – part of the hospital’s expansion – have already been completed.