Women urged to join new partnership to shape future maternity services in Shropshire
A new partnership of women, commissioners and clinicians has been set up in Shropshire to help shape the future of maternity services in the county.
The first Maternity Voices Partnership (MVP) meeting was held in Shrewsbury last week.
Women and their families are being urged to get involved, share their experiences of maternity services and put forward ideas on any changes they think should be made.
It is hoped women and professionals will be able to have their voices heard on an equal level to influence change for the future.
The launch of the partnership followed a recommendation made in a national review of maternity services and other MVPs are also setting up around the country.
Fiona Ellis, programme manager for the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin local maternity system, has been involved in setting the partnership up.
She said: "It's really exciting. This is a real chance for women to drive change.
"It brings their voices up so they are equal to professionals."
She said the Shropshire MVP is in the early stages of development so there is plenty of time for anyone wanting to be involved to get in touch.
A MVP board is already in the process of being set up and is chaired by Jane Randall-Smith, chief officer at Healthwatch Shropshire.
A co-ordinator has also been appointed to help drive the partnership forward.
Ms Ellis said: "We are starting to find out who would like to be involved and how they see the MVP working.
"The MVP board will hold meetings but there will be lots of other activities happening that people can also get involved in.
"People are talking about having champions across the county.
"They can get people interested and gather feedback. It will be about gathering feedback to inform change."
The views of the MVP will inform the work of the Shropshire local maternity system plan.
The plan 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.
Ms Randall-Smith said: “The local maternity system plan aims to turn the vision of the national Better Births report into a reality for the residents of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.
"We are committed to listening to, and meeting the needs and desires of mothers, so it is essential that we hear their voices as we move forward.
"I would urge anyone with an interest to get involved.”
Anyone interested can email maternity.voices@nhs.net
