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Liverpool Women’s Hospital has appointed a maternity and neonatal advocate to support women and their families through maternity and ensure their care is handled properly.
It is part of Liverpool Women’s Hospital five-year strategy, from 2021 to 2025, to improve the healthcare of women, babies, and their families.
The role was created by NHS staff, NHS England, and women and families who dealt with serious incidents during their care. This follows the Ockenden review of maternity care in Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals which outlined the immediate actions needed.
Louise Peacock, the new maternity and neonatal independent senior advocate, has worked with Cheshire and Merseyside hospitals in their maternity services for over 10 years. She is a member of the integrated care board for Lancashire and South Cumbria hospitals and said: “I am here to help you and your family to be listened to by your maternity and neonatal care teams.
“You do not need to be sure if there were mistakes or negligence in your or your baby’s care to ask for my support.”
The Maternity and Neonatal Senior advocate will help women and families understand the maternity and neonatal care system and give a voice to women who may have had distressing experiences during maternity.
They can attend screenings and appointments to help guide women and families through adverse outcomes.
An adverse outcome is a serious incident such as:
- A baby has died before they were born.
- A baby has died in the days or weeks after they were born.
- The mother has died.
- The mother had an unplanned removal of her uterus within six weeks of giving birth.
- The mother had unplanned care in a critical care unit or an intensive care unit.
- The baby was diagnosed with a brain injury, or a brain injury was suspected.
The senior advocate role will run until the end of March 2025, when it will be reviewed to assess whether the year has been helpful.
If you still need an advocate after March 2025, Louise Peacock will find a way to continue support.
Featured image (c) Derek Finch via Unsplash
