Maternity group calls for new members

THE Maternity Listening & Action Group

A MATERNITY group has appealed for new members to ensure the voices of women and their families are heard.

Maternity Listening & Action Group aims to represent residents and see that their views contribute to the planning and delivery of maternity care.

The group especially wants to invite those from under-represented, black and minority ethnic communities as well as parents with babies and children.

Discussion points raised by the action group are regularly forwarded to the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust which oversees the Royal Oldham Hospital as well as three other hospitals and community services.

Representatives such as maternity healthcare professionals, doctors, midwives, peer support workers and new parents have joined the group.

Pennine Acute's community midwifery matron Diane Chadderton said: "The meetings are very rewarding and bring together new families and representation from the wider community with maternity professionals with the aim of improving maternity care for women and babies."

MLAG was formed in 2015 to champion women's views and experiences so they are included in guidelines, complaint reviews and new developments.

Bi-monthly meetings are held on Tuesdays at Derby Street Children's Centre, in Heywood, with the next two organised for April 18 and June 13. To date the meetings have covered the stories and experiences of women and families who have used maternity services.

Group members have carried out Walk the Patch visits in Oldham and North Manchester to share their experiences with parents. The group has also contributed to the development of a new Breech Policy for Pennine Acute and provided feedback on material given to women who are considering their options following a caesarean.

Contact Natalie on 07866 616154 or email nataliequreshi@hotmail.com.