The transitional care unit at Peterborough District Hospital is designed for mothers with babies who require extra care after giving birth, but who are not ill enough to be admitted to the neonatal unit.

Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson officially opened the unit yesterday morning, which will also provide an additional eight specialist care midwives to support the new unit.

Assistant general manager for family and public health Sam Hunt said: “It is fantastic that Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has opened a new transitional care unit, which will mean we can continue to provide the best possible care for patients at the maternity unit.

“The unit will care for babies who may have problems feeding, or perhaps need some extra care after birth, but who do not need special care. The advantage of transitional care is that mums stay with their babies and help with their care.”

Interim chairman Jonathan Radway added: “We are extremely pleased to be able to provide this new facility.”