MY name is Sallyann and I am the head of midwifery at Musgrove Park Hospital. I have been working as a midwife here for over 30 years and in that time have had the privilege of being with so many families through pregnancy and childbirth, as well as guiding and supporting them as a new family.

I have been there as their family grows, and now I’m seeing the children of the children I saw into the world. I have laughed and cried with these families and I cannot begin to express how lucky I feel to be a midwife. I will never cease to be moved when a baby is born. For me, being a midwife is not about a job – I am living the dream, this is my passion.

Over the years I have seen a number of changes to the way we provide maternity services, but sadly not as many changes to our maternity unit buildings. This year we are asking the Somerset community to support our Musgrove Babies appeal, and help us further improve the patient experience of our mothers and their families.

To help make a difference we are working with Love Musgrove, the hospital’s official charity, to raise £100,000. First, we will create an improved reception area making it more welcoming, warm and modern. Then we will build two new recovery rooms, which will support mums and babies with higher dependency needs. The additional rooms will mean we can care for more mums on our Labour ward.

Finally, donations will create an additional ultrasound scanning facility in the antenatal clinic to support the ever increasing need for ultrasound scans in pregnancy. In addition to the structural changes we will be purchasing a number of new pieces of equipment.

To make all this possible we need your help. Raising £100,000 is no easy challenge. No matter how big or small your gift is, it will go a huge way to supporting mums, babies and their families now and in years to come. You can support our appeal by going to www.lovemusgrove.org.uk/musgrove-babies, by calling 01823 344437 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), or sending any donations (cheques made payable to ‘Love Musgrove’) to Fundraising Office, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, TA1 5DA. Any support you can give is deeply appreciated.

SALLYANN KING

Head of midwifery

Musgrove Park Hospital