For news about The Barkantine Centre, see below.
Barkantine to become polyclinic
The Barkantine is to become one of the first five polyclinics in London on 29 April 2009. See Barkantine to become polyclinic.
Barkantine lifts an award
At the first annual national LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust) awards in March 2008, East London and City LIFT Co won an award for innovation for The Barkantine, the PCT's new health and well-being centre on the Isle of Dogs.
The award was given for a variety of reasons including the innovative services provided from the centre as well as the recycled materials used for building the centre and its energy efficiency.
The birth centre
This opened on 7 January 2008. The first baby – Jake Turley was born at 11.45 that day weighing an impressive 10lbs 4oz.
The first-time parents were Claire Turley, 32, and Frank Saez, 35, who live just metres from the birth centre.
Claire, a corporate secretary, said: "We are totally thrilled with how everything went and how amazing Jake is. We’re still in absolute wonderment at him."
On May 11 at 9.51pm Joanna Thümer gave birth to the hundredth baby, Maxwell Jordan.
Joanna, 31, and her husband Christian, 27, from Hackney, were delighted to welcome their first and the hundredth baby to the world in the water of the birthing pool which the centre had provided to ease the arrival.
The couple were pleased to benefit from the relaxing new environment which midwives believe helps women feel as comfortable as possible during childbirth.
Joanna said afterwards: "The birth pool was brilliant. We had a lot of attention from staff and I felt very supported by the midwives and able to make the choice of what to do without being pushed. All the positive expectations I had about giving birth at this centre were exceeded. I felt absolute confidence in all the midwives there."
Further information
For media enquiries about Tower Hamlets PCT or the work of The Barkantine, please contact the media team.
