PICTURES: £335k maternity unit opens at Stafford's County Hospital

The unit includes three birth delivery suites, scan rooms, antenatal and postnatal clinics, day care service, and an ambulatory gynaecology investigation and treatment suite.

From January 19 this year, the maternity service was downgraded as part of the overhaul of services.

It is now a midwife-led service. Staff expect to deliver 100 births this year – around a tenth of the rate from a year ago.

At its peak, the unit was delivering more than 2,000 babies a year.

The units went under a complete revamp bring all women's services together on one floor after previously being located on different levels.

Outpatients midwifery matron Janet Fenton, who has worked as a midwife in Stafford for 37 years, said: "The whole philosophy is to have a community hub within the women's health centre.

"With the changes a lot of people still think we are close.

"But we are open and have a fantastic new facility for the women of Stafford.

"This year we expect 100 deliveries but in the following years that will increase.

"With all the changes at the hospital it was been very difficult. There was a sense of loss for staff when we lost obstetrics. We were a good performing unit.

"But to be fair to the staff, they have embraced the change and have created a positive environment."

Julie Hand, midwifery manager, said: "Now it is all on one floor it is easier to work as a team. I am very excited.

"We have a brilliant new facility here and we will work in partnership with our colleagues in Stoke.

"It has been difficult over the last couple of years. But we have very caring staff who know it is the women who are important.

"This is the beginning and the future of something new."

Amanda Sutton, nurse colposcopist and diagnostic unit manager, said patients would benefit from bigger suites.

She said: "The revamp has created more space which will mean it is better for the women and for staff.

There is a real drive to make it a a brilliant service and a lot of hard work from everyone.

"We are really proud how we are bring all the different aspects of a women's care together."

The downgrading means the hospital can only deal with the most routine births. Mothers assessed to have risks, will have to give birth at the Royal Stoke Hospital, New Cross in Wolverhampton, or the Manor in Walsall.

But the women can have 90 per cent of their care at Stafford.

There are currently 165 women booked in to use the unit.

From July 1, first time mothers will also be able to use the service.

There is also a water birth delivery room and a and family room to allow partners to stay overnight.

The unit has been decorated by an artist with a tree theme.