THE views of Redditch residents are being sought by the local health chiefs to help shape maternity services.
The initiative comes less than 18 months after maternity was axed at the Alex due to a retrenchment by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
Now Worcestershire Maternity Voices Partnership is a chance for those who are passionate about local maternity services to inform the way those services are delivered in the future.
The views of the forum members, which will also include health professionals, will inform the work of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Local Maternity System (LMS) Plan.
The LMS aims to ensure that midwives and the broader workforce involved in supporting women and their families play a crucial role in enabling every child to have the very best start in life and in reducing health inequalities.
Aims for the next three years include improving choice and personalisation of maternity services and improving the safety of maternity care.
Christobel Hargraves, chair of the LMS, said: “The Local Maternity System Plan aims to turn the vision of the national Better Births report into a reality for the residents of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
“We are committed to listening to, and meeting the needs and desires of mothers, so it is essential that we hear their voice as we move forward. The development and enhancement of our Maternity Voices Partnerships is key to this.
“This is a real opportunity to shape the future of maternity services and I would urge anyone with an interest to get involved.”
Worcestershire Maternity Voices Partnership will meet on Thursday, January 18, from 11am to 1pm at Kidderminster Maternity Hub, Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre.
For more information or to register your interest call 07710075062 or email [email protected]
