A Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC) is a triage unit for anyone who is pregnant from 14 weeks onwards.
We have a Maternity Assessment Centre at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital.
Who can use the Maternity Assessment Centre?
Our Maternity Assessment Centres care for anyone who is at least 14 weeks pregnant. If you are less than 14 weeks pregnant you will need your doctor (GP) or midwife to refer you to the Early Pregnancy Unit at St James’s Hospital.
We also care for you if you have any concerns up to 6 weeks after birth.
You will be looked after by one of our midwives who will be supported by doctors who are specialists in care during pregnancy, labour and after birth (obstetrician).
We recommend phoning us before you come into hospital (our phone lines are open 24 hours) so that we can direct you to the department that you need.
When to phone the Maternity Assessment Centre
- Any concerns about your baby’s movements
- You think your waters have broken
- You are bleeding from your vagina
- You have tummy (abdominal) pain
- You are having labour pain (contractions)
- Your blood pressure is raised or there is protein in your urine (your midwife or GP will spot this)
- You are itching a lot
- You have any other concerns about you or your baby
How to contact the Maternity Assessment Centre
To speak to a midwife urgently, please call MAC on: 0113 3926731
If you have a non-urgent question about your maternity care, please phone our Community Triage Line on 0113 206 7111. Community Triage is open Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) 8:15 AM – 12:15 PM and 1:00 PM – 3:45 PM.
What happens at the Maternity Assessment Centre?
In our Maternity Assessment Centres, we use a system which helps us to check who needs to be seen most urgently, so we can care for everyone in the right order and as quickly as possible. If you have any questions, please ask a member of staff – we are here to help.
When you arrive you’ll be seen by one of our midwives who will ask you some questions. This is so that we can make sure we see people who need urgent care first, so you might need to wait once this has taken place.
A midwife or doctor may then do some tests, including:
- Observations
- Monitoring your baby’s heart rate
- Blood tests
- Emergency scans, if needed
You might need to wait for your test results which can take a few hours. If you need to stay in hospital overnight for further tests or observations you will be admitted to our antenatal ward.
Your journey through MAC poster
MAC waiting times
Welcome to MAC. We aim to triage within 15 Minutes.
We aim to see you as soon as possible. Sometimes there may be delays due to high attendances and emergencies. Your midwife will keep you updated.
Our doctors can also be covering emergencies elsewhere, which sometimes causes delays. If you are waiting to see a doctor and your symptoms change, please use the call bell and alert the midwife. You will be reassessed. Thank you for your patience.
Yellow Priority Waiting Time
You will be seen within 1 hour following triage.
- If you need a medical review, this will usually happen within this time frame.
- Sometimes there may be delays due to high attendances and emergencies.
- Your midwife will keep you updated.
- Please use the call bell if you notice any change in your symptoms and you will be reassessed.
Green Priority Waiting Time
You will be seen within 4 hours following triage.
- If you need a medical review, this will usually happen within this time frame.
- Sometimes there may be delays due to high attendances and emergencies.
- Your midwife will keep you updated.
- Please use the call bell if you notice any change in your symptoms and you will be reassessed.
Who can go with me?
You can be supported at MAC by one additional adult. This could be your partner, a friend or family member.
If you are in labour, you can have 2 people with you.
Where is the Maternity Assessment Centre located?
St James’s Hospital – 5th Floor, Gledhow wing
Leeds General Infirmary – C Floor, Clarendon wing
Access to Clarendon Wing (8pm – 6am)
The Clarendon Wing doors are locked overnight from 8pm to 6am.
If you need to enter during these times, please press the buzzer for L45 Delivery Suite, located to the right of the main doors.
Worried about your newborn?
If you are worried that your new baby may be unwell, please contact NHS 111 or your GP for advice. If it is an emergency, call 999 or go to Children’s A&E at Leeds General Infirmary. We know it can be worrying when your baby is unwell. To help your baby receive the right care as quickly as possible, babies who are unwell need to be seen by the services above. We are not able to assess or treat babies who are unwell in MAC. You can also find trusted advice on the Healthier Together website, including information about what is normal for a new baby, symptoms to look out for, and when to seek help: New baby – what’s normal and what’s not.
Share feedback about your experience
We encourage you to tell us about your maternity care and whether you would recommend us to your friends and family.
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