Survey: Expectant mums, new parents asked how they wish to receive information about their pregnancy care choices

Expectant
and new mums in parts of Yorkshire and the Humber region are being asked for
their views on how information about their pregnancy and childbirth care
options should be shared with them and their families.

The Humber, Coast and Vale Maternity Voices Partnership Group is a network of
independent, parent-led groups which bring together women and their families
with healthcare professionals, clinicians and NHS managers responsible for
maternity services in the areas of Hull, East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire,
North East Lincolnshire, Vale of York and Scarborough and Ryedale to develop
local maternity care.

The group wants to hear from mums-to-be and new parents in these areas about
how they wish to receive information about the options available relating to
the care they receive during pregnancy and childbirth – for example, where they
can give birth.

The Maternity Voices Partnership Group has created a survey on the subject, and
is encouraging mums-to-be and new parents to share their views so they can
determine the best way to share this important information with them in the
future.

The survey, which runs until Friday, 31st May 2019, can be viewed at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/hcvchoices

Ruth Prentice, Independent Chair of the Humber, Coast and Vale Maternity
Voices Partnership Group, said: “Maternity Voices Partnerships are here to
enable all women and their families to have a say in their local maternity
services. We are keen to hear how new and expectant mums would like information
about their choices relating to the care they receive during pregnancy and
childbirth to be shared with them.

“If you have a few spare moments please complete the survey to help us
understand how you want to receive this important information. The survey takes
just five minutes to complete and the responses are anonymous. The findings
from the survey will be shared with local organisations to help improve
maternity services in the local area.”

Sallie Ward, Humber, Coast and Vale Local Maternity System Midwife, said: “Your
views are integral in helping maternity care providers and commissioners
deliver improvements to maternity services in the Humber, Coast and Vale area.
So if you’re pregnant or have recently had a baby, we’d be extremely grateful
if you could take a few minutes to complete the survey.”

For more information about the work of Maternity Voices Partnerships, visit: www.nationalmaternityvoices.org.uk

Read More

Mums and dads urged to take up flu vaccination offer for their children

Published on Sep 18, 2018

Mums and dads in Scarborough and Ryedale are being urged to get their child vaccinated against the flu.

The vaccine is free for the majority of children aged two and three years old, primary school age children and youngsters with a health condition that puts them at greater risk from flu.

The annual vaccination programme in schools in our area is being delivered by nurses from Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust’s Childhood Immunisation Team.

Parents are being reminded to complete the online consent form for their child, available at www.hdft.nhs.uk/flu-consent or complete the paper form circulated by some schools.

The online consent form is easy to fill in and will take around 10 minutes. Parents will be prompted to type in their child’s school code, provided on the website and can also read a range of Frequently Asked Questions about the nasal flu vaccine.

For children aged two and three, the vaccine is available at their local GP practice.

Dr Greg Black, Governing Body member and Medicines Lead for NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children causing fever, stuffy nose, dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints, and extreme tiredness. This can last several days or more and in many cases will lead to a parent having to take time off work to look after their poorly child.

“Some children can get a very high fever, sometimes without the usual flu symptoms, and may need to go to hospital for treatment. Children under the age of five have the highest rate of hospital admissions due to flu. Serious complications of flu include a painful ear infection, acute bronchitis, and pneumonia.

“The nasal vaccine provided through the schools vaccination programme offers good protection against flu, particularly in young children. It also reduces the risk of a child passing on the virus to a more vulnerable member of their family, such as a baby brother or sister who is too young to be vaccinated, or elderly relative who is at greater risk from complications caused by the flu.

“This particular flu vaccination has been given to millions of children worldwide and is the single most effective protection against flu we have.”

Meanwhile, in a series of films for social media – also available to watch at www.hdft.nhs.uk/flu-consent – children from North Yorkshire have been giving their opinions about the nasal flu spray and why it’s important to have it. Youngsters Maisie, Jude, Reggie, Oliver and Noah remarked how “it tickles”, “it goes up a nose hole” and how “it protects my grandma”.

Lois Alderson, Clinical Lead for Childhood Immunisations in North Yorkshire said: “We had a lot of fun talking with our five youngsters and finding out what they thought about the nasal flu spray.

“As nurses we know the benefits of having the vaccine and we know parents do too. But we thought it would be interesting to see what some of the young people actually receiving the vaccine thought about it and if they understood why it was so important.

“And even if one child thought it would protect the moon too, it was great to see they knew why it was important and what the benefits were of having it.”

You can also watch each film here:

Maisie: https://youtu.be/Ts_4QU8r7x8

Reggie: https://youtu.be/mscrFf8vAFo

Jude: https://youtu.be/rRE2IK3QBPQ

Oliver: https://youtu.be/1DKuMFDTre0

Noah: https://youtu.be/ngu2pbd08QI

Read More

Funding awarded for improved mental health services for new and expectant mums in North Yorkshire

Published on May 8, 2018

The three North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have been successful in securing funding for perinatal mental health as part of a £23 million national scheme announced by NHS England.

This money will enable enhanced specialist community mental health services for new and expectant mums within North Yorkshire.

There’s more in the national NHS England media release, here.

Speaking on behalf of the health service commissioners in North Yorkshire, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG’s clinical lead for mental health, Dr Peter Billingsley, said: “Having good mental health begins before you are born.

“It is vital that expectant mums have the best access to mental health services throughout their pregnancy and in the first few months after giving birth.

“This increase in perinatal funding will help NHS staff to deliver more services to mums and their babies and improve the long term outlook for mental health in our community.”

Amanda Bloor, Chief Officer of NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG as the lead commissioner for the three North Yorkshire CCGs said: “We are delighted that this funding has been awarded. We know that we need to improve community mental health services available for new and expectant mums across North Yorkshire.

“With the funding announced today we will be better able to deliver accessible, high quality, specialist mental health services in the right place and at the right time for women and families, as well as improve opportunities for early intervention and support.

“This dedicated funding will enable us to enhance specialist care available and to better meet the needs of our local population.”

Read More