Communities helping shape the future of maternity and neonatal care across Derby and Derbyshire

The experiences of women and families from Derby’s diverse communities are helping to drive improvements to maternity and neonatal services across Derby and Derbyshire.

A major community engagement project, involving 184 people from African, Caribbean, South Asian, Roma and other ethnically diverse communities, has gathered insights into pregnancy, birth, neonatal care, baby loss and support services.

The findings, published this week, will help shape future improvements to care and ensure local voices remain at the heart of service development.

The project has already influenced plans for a new Maternity and Neonatal Health Inequalities Forum, bringing together women, families, community organisations, NHS providers and commissioners to work collaboratively on improving maternity services.

Its publication comes at a time of national attention on maternity care following the Ockenden and Amos reviews.

The reviews reinforced the need for health services to work closely with the people they serve to understand their experiences and use feedback to drive improvement.

The Derby and Derbyshire Maternity and Neonatal Health Inequalities Community Engagement project reflects that commitment locally.

Across 15 engagement sessions, undertaken by five local community organisations, people shared their honest experiences of maternity and neonatal care.

While many spoke about the kindness, compassion and professionalism of NHS staff, they also highlighted opportunities to improve support and make services more accessible.

Based on the feedback received, the report recommends action to:

  • Improve communication and access to information, including translated materials, clearer explanations and better access to interpreters.
  • Help women and families feel more involved in decisions about their care through more personalised support.
  • Increase awareness of Family Hubs and the support available before and after birth.
  • Strengthen partnerships with trusted community organisations to help build confidence and trust in services.
  • Improve cultural awareness and understanding within maternity and neonatal care.
  • Enhance emotional and bereavement support, including support after discharge from hospital and following baby loss.
  • Build on the strength of community and peer support networks, recognising the important role they play in helping families feel informed, supported and connected.

The recommendations will now be used to develop an action plan, which will help shape the priorities of the new Maternity and Neonatal Health Inequalities Forum.

The project was delivered by Community Action Derby through the Derby Health Inequalities Partnership, with funding from Derby City Council Family Hubs and NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, and in partnership with local organisations.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB), which provides maternity and neonatal services at Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Hospital Burton, welcomed the findings.

A spokesperson said: “This report provides rich insight into the lived experiences of women and families across Derby’s diverse communities. It highlights both areas of good practice and key opportunities for improvement within maternity and neonatal services.

“We are committed to listening, learning and taking meaningful action in response.”

A spokesperson for Best Start Family Hubs said the report would help shape future work through the new forum.

“We have reflected on the findings of the Maternity and Neonatal engagement project and already have ideas about how we can respond to the recommendations. However, it is important that we do this alongside communities and partner organisations through the Maternity and Neonatal Health Inequalities Forum, which is currently being developed.”

“We are committed to providing regular updates on progress and making sure communities can see how their feedback is helping to shape improvements.”

The full report and summary report are available online.

The Maternity and Neonatal Health Inequalities Forum will look at maternity and neonatal services that are provided in the Royal Derby Hospital geographical area.

The first meeting takes place at the Derby West Indian Community Association on Tuesday 23 September from 10am to 2pm and will bring together women, families, community groups, NHS organisations and partners to continue the conversation and help drive improvements to maternity and neonatal services.

Anyone interested in getting involved can register their interest via the Derbyshire Involvement engagement platform.

With thanks to the organisations and people involved in this project:

  • Community Action Derby
  • Derby City Council
  • NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB
  • University Hospitals of Derby and Burton
  • Community One
  • Best Start in Life
  • Connected
  • Derbyshire Maternal and Neonatal Voices
  • Family Hub Derby
  • Central Education & Training (CET)
  • Open Doors Forum
  • Derby Asian Women’s Network (DAWN)
  • The Nsibidi Project
  • Vox Feminarum (Women’s Voices)