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Chelsea and Westminster team to the rescue when mum unexpectedly gives birth in hospital car park

16 December 2016

Five members of staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital had a surprising start to their working day this morning when they helped deliver a baby boy in the hospital car park.

Five members of staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital had a surprising start to their working day this morning when they helped deliver a baby boy in the hospital car park.

Tina Benson (Hospital Director), Simon Thompson (Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon), Amy Tan (Plastics Surgical Registrar), Ann Hay (Senior Anaesthetic Sister, Treatment Centre) and Andrzej Jandziol (Consultant Anaesthetist), were all parking their cars when they heard Melanie’s cries for help as her labour was quickly progressing.  They helped deliver baby Valentin and supported mum, dad and baby before they were taken to the Labour Ward to recover by the emergency obstetric team. 

Simon, who has three young children, said: “As a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, the only other baby I have delivered was my first born, so it was a really special moment, a great Chelsea team effort and an incredible start to the day, even before work had actually started!”

Tina, who is a radiographer by background and has two teenage children, said: “As soon as I heard Melanie’s cries I flung all my belongings over the floor of the car park and dashed over to try and help. Everything moved very quickly and almost before we could process what was happening Valentin had arrived, their second son. it was an honour to be there to experience this moment and I was actually the first person to hold Valentin and wrap him up.  As soon as I knew that mum and baby were ok and on the way to the Labour Ward I phoned my teenage daughter to let her know what an interesting start to the day I’d had, once I’d found my phone where I’d left it in the car park!”

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George Vasilopoulos