"Maternity Unit - excellent!"

I recently gave birth to my first child at the QE hospital and wanted to recognise the fantastic work of the staff involved during my stay.

Throughout my time in the unit I received an excellent level of care and attention.

I felt safe and supported and will take cherished memories away from the whole experience.

My delivery was an induction after PROM and from the minute I was admitted, my first midwife made sure I was well informed and well looked after.

They communicated with myself and my partner to make sure we fully understood everything that was happening and the relaxed atmosphere was the ideal setting for us as we began the process of bringing our little man into the world.

As the labour progressed, my 2nd midwife came on shift and seamlessly took over. They instantly made a connection with us and took control of the situation after a failed epidural.

The midwife gave me clear options of how we could proceed and offered advice, which was gratefully received and we opted to follow their lead and get on with it!

Over the next 2hrs, the midwife gave me clear instructions and supported me throughout. They said the right things, at the right times, and in the right ways to get me to respond how they needed me to.

On reflection, the approach was the perfect "coaching" for me and I could not have hoped for more.

The midwife was also considerate of my partner's needs as someone who struggles with hospitals - he felt at ease and was kept informed of how things were progressing and how he could support me.

Once transferred to the postnatal ward, the support and care continued throughout the rest of my stay.

I was well looked after and received lots of advice and reassurance as I spent the first few days with my newborn - very much appreciated and needed!

The midwives, breastfeeding experts, health cares, caterers and domestic staff were brilliant and I can't thank them all enough.

I was re-admitted after my 10 day appointment with mastitis, and however rubbish I felt about my infection and being back in hospital, I was looked after once again by the staff on the unit and they helped me to recover quickly by advising, supporting and cheering me up each day.

The maternity unit has a great team of staff and I would like to acknowledge their efforts and their professionalism.

Thanks to everyone for a truly memorable experience!