SPECULATION the maternity unit at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, may close under NHS reorganisation plans have been denied.

The speculation is the latest in a series of rumours circulating about the hospital since it revealed debts of more than £19m last year.

And the hospital has been repeatedly forced to deny suggestions it has been earmarked for closure.

There have also been rumours some of its departments, such as A&E or maternity, are to close.

In fact, the hospital is putting £100,000 into improving its maternity services.

It is currently creating a new midwife-led unit with a homely atmosphere designed to make mums feel relaxed and comfortable while giving birth.

The unit, which is due to open in April, will have four labour bedrooms and two birthing pools.

It will be staffed by fully-trained and experienced midwives.

Queen Mary's is also introducing new en-suite accommodation for parents who prefer to have more privacy after the birth.

This will have to be booked in advance and there may be a small charge.

The accommodation is also due to open in April.

To try to make its services easier to reach for people living in the north of the borough, Queen Mary's is also developing a new satellite maternity unit at Erith Hospital, Park Crescent, Erith.

From next month, mums will be able to choose whether to go to either hospital for services such as ultra-sound scans and midwife appointments.

The midwives working at the hospital have also been re-organised to work in small teams, each looking after a different part of the borough.

They will take care of everything from the first to the final check-up.

This will ensure mums know the midwife who delivers their baby.

Queen Mary's chief executive Kate Grimes said: "We are not just investing in the physical environment of our maternity unit.

"We are continually looking at ways we can improve care for mums and babies."