Maternity Assessment Units

This page tells you about the Maternity Assessment Units. These units are part of the Maternity Department within North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. This leaflet also explains why you may be asked to go to the Units and what to expect when you get there.

What is the Maternity Assessment Unit?

There are 2 Assessment Units, one at North Tees and one at Hartlepool. The units provide a service to antenatal (pregnant) and follow up care to postnatal (after having your baby) women.

When are the Maternity Assessment units open?

North Tees

Monday to Friday      
8:30am to 9:00pm

Hartlepool

Monday to Friday                                         
9:00am to 5:00pm

Why would I need to go to the Maternity Assessment Unit?

Both Units accept women who are 14 weeks pregnant or more.  There are a number of reasons why you may be asked to go to the Maternity Assessment Units and a number of ways in which you can be referred.

Your Community Midwife could ask you to attend, if during a routine visit, a problem is found.  This could include a change in your baby’s pattern of movements or finding your blood pressure is higher than normal.

If you have had a problem in a previous pregnancy or your Midwife feels you should have added specialist care, you will be referred to see a Consultant.

At this appointment, it may be arranged for you to attend a Maternity Assessment Unit as part of this care, for example, to have your blood pressure or growth of your baby closely monitored (checked).

Your GP may ask you to go to the Maternity Assessment Unit if a specialist medical or midwifery opinion is thought to be required.

You can also refer yourself to the Maternity Assessment Unit. At the end of this leaflet and in the front of our maternity records, there are lists of telephone numbers to call if you need any advice. It may be the Midwife can help you on the phone or ask you to come to one of the Maternity Assessment Units for assessment (check-up).

It is important that you listen to your Midwife and take the advice given.

It may be necessary for some women who live in the Hartlepool area to go to the Maternity Assessment Unit at North Tees for assessment rather than to Hartlepool’s Day Unit.

The reason for this is that there are no doctors in Hartlepool’s Maternity Assessment Unit, it is ran by Midwives only and sometimes it may be necessary for you to see a Doctor.

If you are told to go to North Tees by the midwives at Hartlepool Day Maternity Assessment Unit, you will be given a time when you must be there. You must follow this advice.

In an emergency, your Midwife will arrange for an ambulance to transfer you.

What can I expect to happen when I arrive?

On arrival, you will go to the Maternity Assessment Unit reception. The Assessment Unit uses a triage system which means that patient care is prioritised based on a person’s condition and if they need to be seen urgently.

The length of time you may wait can vary as it depends on the condition you have been referred with, the number of other women already being seen in the Unit and when a Doctor is able to see you.

The Units are often busy and you may have to wait. The team would like to apologise if you do have to wait.

We advise you bring a drink and something to help you pass the time. There are shops within the Hospital where you can buy refreshments and hot drinks. There is cold water available on the Unit, please ask a member of staff if you would like some.

Who will I see?

You will be greeted at the Maternity Assessment Unit reception and you will be asked by either a Midwife or Health Care Assistant to take a seat in the waiting area if the Unit is busy, otherwise you will be taken directly into the Assessment Unit.

There are examination couches and chairs in the Units separated by curtains however, we do have a private room should it be needed.

A member of staff will take your blood pressure, check your temperature, your pulse and oxygen saturations and your carbon monoxide levels. You will be asked to produce a urine sample, facilities are provided.

You will be seen by a Midwife who will ask you questions about your pregnancy and find out why you are at the Maternity Assessment Unit.

Your Midwife will feel your abdomen (tummy) and listen to your baby’s heart rate. The findings will be explained and discussed with you. Your Midwife may recommend that you see a Doctor.

Healthcare would not be where it is today without the help of patients.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is a teaching organisation. We could not train future Nurses, Doctors and other health professionals without the co-operation of patients.

Teaching takes place in all areas of our hospitals and is a valuable part of the training. You may meet students in various stages of their training and they may sometimes be present during your appointment or involved in your care.

Occasionally, there are school-leavers attending for work experience before they attend medical or nursing University courses. Students are supervised by fully qualified staff.

If you do not want students to be involved or observe your care, please inform staff on your arrival. This will not affect the care you receive.

What tests will I need to have?

There are a number of tests you may have in the Maternity Assessment Units:

• Checking your blood pressure, temperature, pulse and carbon monoxide levels.

• Checking your urine.

• Feeling your abdomen (tummy) to make sure your baby is growing well.

• Listening to your baby’s heart rate.

• If you are 28 weeks pregnant or more and have complained that your baby’s pattern of movement has changed, we will monitor your baby’s heart rate for about 20 minutes.

A machine called a cardiotocograph (CTG) will be used and you will be asked to press a button when your baby moves so your Midwife can check how often the baby is moving. 

This does not hurt you or your baby; it is a quick and simple test to do. At the end of the test, your Midwife will explain the results to you.

• Blood samples. Your Midwife may check your blood for many things, such as your iron levels which, if low may mean you need to take iron tablets. Other blood samples may be taken to check that your liver and kidneys are working well. Your Midwife will explain why these tests are needed.

• If your Community Midwife has felt your abdomen and thinks the baby is small. A scan will be arranged, after this you will be asked to go to the Maternity Assessment Unit and the results will be explained to you.

• A presentation scan to check which way the baby is coming, head down or breech (bottom first).

• Depending on the reason for your being in the Assessment Unit, you may need to go for a chest X-ray or a scan of yourself rather than your baby.

What will happen after I have been seen in the Assessment Unit?

This will depend on why you have been to the Unit.

In most cases, treatment can be arranged in the Assessment Unit and you will be able to go home. If you have had tests during your time on the unit and the results need further treatment, a midwife will contact you directly.

If your tests do not need any further action, the Assessment Unit will not contact you however, if you would like to know your results you can contact either of the Assessment Units after 2pm in the afternoon and they will tell you your results over the phone.

Sometimes, you may be asked to come back to the Assessment Unit for some of your care. This will be explained to you before you go home and all your questions or concerns will be answered.

Occasionally, some women may be advised to stay in Hospital to be closely monitored or for further treatment. Your Midwife will make further arrangements for your admission to the Antenatal Ward or Delivery Suite.

Contact numbers

If your call is urgent you should contact the Hospital where you are due to have your baby.

University Hospital of North Tees

Community Midwives
Monday to Friday, 08:30am to 09:30am
Stockton – 01642 383 440 or 01642 383 441

Non-urgent messages can be left on the answering machine.

If you call is urgent, you should contact the hospital where you are booked to have your baby.

Maternity Assessment Unit

Telephone: 01642 624 239

Monday to Sunday, 8:30am to 9:00pm

Outside of these hours, calls are automatically transferred to Delivery suite, North Tees.

University Hospital of Hartlepool

Telephone: 01429 522 879

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm

When the Maternity Assessment Unit at Hartlepool is closed, please contact the Maternity Assessment Unit at North Tees (01642 624 239).

Outside of these hours, calls are automatically transferred to the delivery suite at North Tees.

Community Midwives

Hartlepool – Telephone: 01429 522 279

5 days a week, 9:00am to 10:00am

Non-urgent messages can be left on the answering machine.

Peterlee Community Midwives

Peterlee – Telephone: 01429 522 270

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]