The NNUH Maternity Services Liaison Committee (MSLC) aims to find out what local women want and need from maternity services and then help to develop services to meet those needs. The committee is made up of staff involved in providing maternity care and representatives of women who use the service. The members work together to monitor and improve the maternity services provided by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
What is the Maternity Services Liaison Committee?
Most maternity units across the country have Maternity Services Liaison Committees (in some areas they are known as birth voices). They try to bring together the different staff involved in maternity care and representatives of women who use the service (user representatives) to discuss issues relating to the care provided to pregnant women and their partners, and the parents of new babies.
The committee meets four times a year at the hospital. A part-time coordinator administers the work of the MSLC, in close liaison with the user representatives. The user representatives also meet four times a year to plan what they wish to raise at the Maternity Services Liaison Committee. The user representatives’ meetings are informal (children are welcome) and are usually held in someone’s home.
The committee meets four times a year at the hospital. A part-time coordinator administers the work of the MSLC, in close liaison with the user representatives. The user representatives also meet four times a year to plan what they wish to raise at the Maternity Services Liaison Committee. The user representatives’ meetings are informal (children are welcome) and are usually held in someone’s home.
Who are the members?
The committee has around 20 members. About a third are user reps: women who have recently had a baby, and representatives of groups which work with pregnant women and new parents (e.g. The National Childbirth Trust, Sure Start and Embrace Young Mums). The other members are health care professionals from the hospital and community such as midwives, doctors, managers and health visitors. The County Commissioning Group are also represented.
What does the MSLC Do?
The MSLC aims to find out what local women want and need from maternity services and to recommend changes when appropriate. All members work together to monitor and improve the maternity services provided by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Over the past year the MSLC has discussed a number of issues including:
Over the past year the MSLC has discussed a number of issues including:
- How we date pregnancies (‘crown-rump’ measurement)
- The language used by staff when speaking about pregnancy loss
- Pain relief available on delivery suite
- Breastfeeding support
What does the MSLC not do?
We are always interested in hearing comments and suggestions from women and their partners who are using, or have recently used, local maternity services. However, we do not deal with individual queries or complaints. If you have any questions about your care at the NNUH you can speak to your midwife or you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) with any general queries (telephone 01603 289035/ 289036/ 289045). Alternatively speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP or contact NHS Norfolk PALS on 0800 587 4132 or email [email protected]
Have your say and get involved
We want to know what women and their partners think about maternity services in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital area. Your opinions matter because we want to take the views of parents into account when planning changes to the service. If you have any comments, ideas or feedback (good or bad), please let Sherry-Anne Halliday, NNUH Maternity Services Liaison Committee Coordinator know. You can e-mail her at [email protected] The user representatives’ meetings are quite informal (you can bring your children along) and you would be given a warm welcome. User representatives can claim expenses (e.g. for travel and childcare) and lunch is provided at the hospital meetings.