A generous donation from local residents’ Fernando and Any Vicario has funded the conversion of a maternity triage area in the midwife-led Birth Centre at Kingston Hospital, into a multifunctional space for women and their families called The Nest.

Following the relocation of the maternity triage in February 2024, there was an opportunity to put the space to a new use.

The Nest was created to provide a place to relax in the early stages of labour, a venue for antenatal classes, a clinic for low-risk women to reduce the need for an induction of labour and a space for new families to socialise.

It has been designed to offer a calm and non-clinical environment.

Becky Andrews, Birth Centre Lead Midwife says:

“When women and their partners walk into The Nest, they always make comments about how lovely it is. Having this space has transformed what we can offer to families at different points in their pregnancy and birth journey.”

Before photo of the old Maternity Triage and the after photo of The Nest – a calm, non-clinical multi-functional space