After more than 60 years of service, supporting the arrival of an estimated 250,000 babies, St Mary’s Maternity Unit in Poole is set to close its doors for the final time, and University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) is inviting local families to come and say a final farewell.

Taking place on Saturday 5 April, 10am-1pm, members of the public are welcome to visit areas of the unit and join maternity and neonatal staff members for a trip down memory lane, helping colleagues celebrate the place and its people where an estimated 250,000 babies have been welcomed into the world since the unit opened in 1961.

Along with access to areas of Antenatal, Haven, and Labour Ward, guests will also have an opportunity to find out about the future of maternity services which will be located in the new BEACH (Births, Emergency And Critical care and children’s Health) Building on the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site.

Kerry Taylor, UHD’S Head of Midwifery and Neonatal Services, said: “We are so excited to be moving to the BEACH building but acknowledge that many local families and staff from the past and present will be sad to see the doors to St Marys Maternity Unit close for a final time.

We are delighted to give people the opportunity to come and reminisce and share the memories they have from their time in the building, before joining us to say a fond farewell to St Marys.”