Princess Anne visits Croydon maternity unit, hearing of experiences of midwives who delivered babies during height of coronavirus pandemic

Croydon’s Health Services midwives welcomed Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal, Patron of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) to the Trust’s maternity unit yesterday.

Her Royal Highness spent time with midwifery teams, hearing about their experiences of delivering babies during the Covid-19 pandemic in one of London’s hardest hit hospitals.

Indigo Leonard-Chambers, community midwifery matron, who met Her Royal Highness during her visit, said: “Our team made a number of changes to the way we care for women and their babies during Covid-19, both in the hospital and to our popular homebirth service in the community.

“We have continued to do our job while reassuring women during their pregnancies and births, to make sure that they feel safe and secure throughout.

“It was a privilege to speak Her Royal Highness about our positive team spirit and am sure it shone through today.”

As part of her visit, The Princess Royal met staff from all areas of the borough’s maternity service, including those who work in the labour ward, in community midwifery and home birth services, and those working in the Lucina Birth Centre.

Her Royal Highness also met a number of student midwives, who have chosen to start their careers in Croydon.

The Princess Royal then unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit.

Pictured top: Princess Anme, The Princess Royal at Croydon’s maternity unit yesterday