Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Hospital Trust is set to get £181,000 from the government to upgrade its maternity services.

The trust, which runs Queen’s Hospital in Rom Valley Way, Romford is one of more than 100 hospitals in the country that will share a £25 million fund to improve and upgrade its services.

Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter said: “We are now going to see huge improvements to maternity services right across the country – from birthing pools to family rooms and even new midwifery-led units. These will make a big difference to the experience mums and families have of NHS maternity services, with more choice and a better environment where women can give birth.”

The funds will be used to provide overnight chairs for partners, ice making machines for both the labour ward and the birth centre.

Automating doors are also set to be installed so that people can enter and exit the acute labour ward easily.

In November, the government opened the £25 million fund to applications from NHS trusts and foundation trusts.

Bids were judged by a panel that included representatives from the Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The Royal College of Midwives’ Chief Executive Cathy Warwick said: “Dozens of new birthing pools, eight new midwife-led units, more en suite facilities in dozens of units, and lots more besides. It is great to learn about the positive changes that this extra £25m will make to many units up and down the country.”