PREGNANT women in the Leigh area are being offered a new way of caring for them throughout the pregnancy and childbirth.

Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust have launched a scheme where every mother will be cared for by a small team of midwives, from first consultation to post-natal care.

It will, says the Trust, ensure a familiar face is present throughout the pregnancy period.

Nine teams have so far been set up, with eight or nine midwives in each, with only a small core hospital based.

Team members, who will work under a series of famous poets names, including Chaucer, Byron and Keats, will now be linked to certain GP surgeries and will spend more time in the community.

Catherine Hinton, Head of Midwifery said: "The changes are in line with the recommendations of the 'Changing Childbirth' report. We believe it will offer more continuity of care for women, and make it easier for them to discuss their wishes and to plan for the birth."

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