Maternity Listening & Action Group appeals for new members

Maternity Listening & Action Group appeals for new members

A Maternity Listening & Action Group is appealing for new members to represent the interests of women and their families and ensure their views are heard as part of the planning and delivery of maternity care.

People from locally diverse, underrepresented and BME communities are particularly welcome and parents are invited to attend with their babies/children.

The group provides close and regular feedback from the local population, ensuring safe, responsive, family centred maternity services at the Trust’s four hospitals – North Manchester General Hospital and community services, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, Rochdale Infirmary and community services.

The Maternity Listening & Action Group is a group made up of representatives from the local community, maternity healthcare professionals, doctors, midwives, peer support workers and new mothers and fathers.

It was formed in 2015 to ensure women’s views and experiences are included in guidelines, complaint reviews and new developments.

Meetings are held bimonthly on Tuesdays at Derby Street Children’s Centre, in Heywood. Future meetings are scheduled for:

• 18 April 2017
• 13 June 2017
• 15 August 2017
• 17 October 2017
• 12 December 2017

Any woman who is using or has used maternity services recently is invited to attend the meetings, as are fathers and other family members, including young babies and children.

Meetings so far have discussed stories and experiences of the women and families who have recently used maternity services, welcomed new ideas and heard about elements the Trust could improve on. Members of the group have undertaken ‘Walk the Patch’ visits in both Oldham and North Manchester where they have spoken with parents about their experiences, which are then fed back to staff. Recent activities have also included feeding into the development of a new Breech Policy for the Trust and providing feedback on material given to women considering their options after a previous caesarean.

Diane Chadderton, Community Midwifery Matron at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “The meetings are always very rewarding and bring together new families and representation from the wider community with maternity professionals, all with one aim – to improve maternity care for women and babies.”

Natalie Qureshi, a mother from Whitefield, whose second baby was born in the Birth Centre at North Manchester General Hospital, and who co-chairs the group meetings said:

"MLAG is an inclusive and respectful forum where women and their families’ voices are heard. MLAG needs feedback from parents in order to continually improve maternity services and to come up with projects for positive joint working. We welcome anyone who would like to come along and find out more."

If you would like to enquire about joining the group please contact Natalie Qureshi, MLAG Co-chair on, 078 666 16154 or email nataliequreshi@hotmail.com