Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership
Preston, Chorley & South Ribble MNVP is a partnership that works to review and contribute to the development of maternity and neonatal services at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust.
It brings together the staff who pay for (commission) and provide maternity services with the women, birthing people and families who use those services.
The MNVP is coordinated by a service user lead, who is an independent lay person. All members of the partnership take responsibility for the development and delivery of an agreed workplan.
The membership includes:
- midwives, health visitors, doctors and managers
- women, birthing people and families from a diverse range of backgrounds
- members of the wider community such as birth workers and charities specialising in mental health, supporting refugees, etc.
Members work together as equals, recognising that each person brings a different set of experiences, skills and resources that will contribute to the strength of the partnership as a whole. It is intended that everyone who uses or works in NHS maternity and neonatal services in England can choose to get involved in their local Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership.
Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnerships (MNVPs) aim to hear from people who use our local maternity and neonatal services from all backgrounds and with varied perspectives and experiences of care. MNVPs use themes from the feedback they collect from those who use the maternity and neonatal services to continuously inform improvements to the quality of local maternity and neonatal care.
The partnership meets quarterly in the Preston, Chorley and South Ribble area. We hold our meetings in child-friendly environments across our local communities or online.
Meet the Lead of Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership Preston, Chorley, and South Ribble
Hello, my name is Asiya, Lead of Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership Preston, Chorley, and South Ribble. Over the past few years, I have actively participated in Maternity Voices Partnership as a service user representative. During this time, I have shared my personal maternity journey and insights, having experienced four pregnancies and births - three of my children born at Royal Preston, and one delivered at home with support from the Ivy team.
My professional background is quite diverse and does not revolve around the medical aspects of maternity services. Alongside various other roles, including managing my own confectionery business and currently holding the position of a school governor, I have previously worked as a healthcare assistant. More recently, I have undertaken training as a perinatal doula and also become a voluntary breastfeeding peer supporter for Families and Babies. It is through these roles that I have come to recognise the paramount importance of not just listening to people's voices but also ensuring that their feedback is carefully reviewed and acted upon for continuous enhancements in our services.
My primary interests encompass, but are not confined to, informed choice/ informed decisions, birth rights, championing equality and diversity, advocating for positive and active birthing experiences, promoting breastfeeding, endorsing hypnobirthing, embracing attachment parenting, and safeguarding.
When the opportunity arose for the new, evolved position of Maternity and Neonatal Lead, I felt a deep calling to apply for this role. I am thrilled that my passion and enthusiasm can be directed towards elevating the profile of MNVP. Our aim is to ensure that the voices of women and their families are truly heard, especially those from underrepresented and minority backgrounds. It is an honour for me to be a part of shaping the future developments and changes in our maternity services and to hold responsibility of sharing positive feedback too.
If you and your family have been or are currently service users within our maternity services, I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you. Your feedback is crucial to us, and we genuinely appreciate your engagement, so please don't hesitate to reach out.
Get involved with our MNVP
If you are pregnant or a parent to be, or had a baby recently and want to help make a difference to maternity services, we would love to hear from you. We host regular face-to-face meetings in child-friendly environments to discuss different topics over a brew and a slice of cake.
If you would like to get involved you can get in touch in a number of ways:
Facebook: @mnvpprestonchorleysouthribble
Email: pcsr.MNVP@healthwatchlancashire.co.uk
Twitter: @mnvpprestoncsr
Call: 01228 474950
Instagram: @mnvppreston_chorley_sthribble
