Health chiefs have revealed a "pause" in the delivery of babies at the University Hospital of Hartlepool will now remain in place until January 2026. The midwife-led maternity unit at the hospital, named the Rowan Suite, became fully operational in late 2020, taking bookings for women considered to be "low risk" - with 113 births having occurred to date.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust bosses announced in May a three month pause in "intrapartum care" at the site - which is the period from the start of labour until the delivery of the baby - due to "staffing absences."

It has now been confirmed this has "been extended to January 2026" following a "period of review." Antenatal and postnatal care will continue as normal during this period, as they have been to date, along

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