MORE than £1 million is to be given to maternity units in east Kent to improve services. Health Minister Jacqui Smith has said £16 million will be spent on modernising maternity care in 32 NHS units in the south east.

The money will help to pay for refurbishment, modernisation of antenatal clinics, improved bereavement facilities and new facilities for fathers and families. Hospitals in east Kent will receive £1,200,000, one of the larger awards, which will, according to the Minister, will ensure that all women have access to high quality maternity services and can make choices about their care and childbirth.

Ms Smith said: "Improving maternity services is vital to giving children and families the best start in life. Many women say they receive excellent care in pregnancy, but there are still too many variations.

"Pregnant women should have choice and high quality care and support in every corner of the country.

"That is why it is right to make maternity services a major priority in the coming years, with £100 million new investment for units, 2,000 more midwives and a new framework of national standards."

The Minister said pregnant women, parents, doctors and midwives had been consulted to find out how best the extra money should be spent.