The Barking Birth Centre

Changes to care 

From 30 June 2025, we are temporarily pausing births at Barking Community Birth Centre. 

This means we can offer mothers and their babies the safest possible care, with experienced midwives and doctors on hand in our main maternity unit.

As more women experience complex pregnancies and require additional clinical support, the criteria for giving birth at a standalone birth centre has become increasingly difficult to meet.

We will continue to carry out over 1,000 antenatal and postnatal appointments at the centre  — including check-ups, scans and support — so families can still access regular care locally. If you are booked in for any of these sessions, please still attend your appointment as planned.

Patients still have the choice of a hospital birth, home birth, or our alongside midwifery-led unit which is based at Newham hospital and offers a similar experience to the Barking Birth Centre.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone about your options, please talk to your midwife or contact the team at 020 8252 8281.