West Middlesex University Hospital maternity ward will be upgraded following a £210,000 Government grant.

At the end of last year, hospitals with maternity units were asked to submit bids to improve or upgrade their facilities, with the chance of sharing £25m of funding.

Tonie Neville, who heads the maternity unit, said: “Our Queen Mary maternity unit is an old Victorian building, and while we have been continually improving its facilities there are some areas in need of upgrading.

“We are delighted to receive this funding and plan to spend the money on a new waiting area, updating our bathrooms on the labour ward, and special reclining chairs for dads to relax and sleep in if they stay overnight with their partners.

“These improvements will make things more comfortable for mums, dads, and everyone else who uses the maternity unit.”

The work is expected to start in early spring.