Maternity unit recognised with national award
Published: 23rd July 2010
The maternity team from Peterborough and Stamford NHS Foundation Trust is celebrating after being highly commended in an award from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity (APPGM).
The team, based in Peterborough’s maternity unit, was recognised in the ‘inclusive services for disadvantaged groups and communities’ category at the awards, which acknowledge inspiring or innovative work in improving local maternity services. They were presented at the APPGM summer reception on Monday (19 July) at the Terrace Pavilion, Houses of Parliament.
The APPGM, which is serviced by the NCT charity, is a cross-party group whose aim is to highlight maternity issues within Parliament and bring together health professionals and service users with politicians.
The team was rewarded for its work with vulnerable women. Some of the aims of the initiative were to reduce non-attendance at appointments; provide outreach services to vulnerable women, including those who have suffered abuse or have mental health issues; provide a one-stop shop model for antenatal care; and increase awareness of domestic abuse.
The team has implemented a number of improvements including a range of easy to use leaflets on common issues, and mobile phones for all midwives so they are easily contactable. Their work has helped in excess of 230 vulnerable women and their children.
The Trust’s Head of Midwifery, Penny Brett, said: “This is a well deserved recognition for everyone in the team who has worked so hard to provide better maternity services for some of the most vulnerable women in our community. I am very proud of them.”
Dr Dan Poulter MP, Chair of the APPGM, said: “It is a privilege to present these awards to such deserving and exemplary maternity units. The winning units’ innovative work will be an inspiration to other Trusts”
Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive of NCT who are sponsoring the awards said: “We are celebrating the success of these awards as excellent examples of what can be achieved through committed staff, hard work and innovation in services.”
For further information, please contact Caroline Parsons at Peterborough and Stamford NHS Foundation Trust on 01733 875201 or the NCT Press Office on 020 8752 2404 or email press@nct.org.uk .
