Local Maternity and Neonatal Service shortlisted for national award
Our South East London Local Maternity and Neonatal Service (LMNS) has been shortlisted for the Royal College of Midwives Equity, Diversity and Inclusion award.
The team was recognised for its Parent Education in Foreign Languages programme, which supports mothers and birthing people who speak little or no English. In London, 22% of people speak a main language other than English, and limited English can lead to poorer experiences in pregnancy. This service helps change that.
A local midwife worked with community groups and maternity teams to design sessions in six priority languages. Bilingual practitioners were trained to deliver the sessions, and resources were shared online for easy access.
Two live sessions cover NHS services, rights in pregnancy, healthy pregnancy, birth options, caesarean section, postnatal care, infant feeding and mental health. Sessions run monthly and use translated slides and culturally sensitive illustrations.
Since launch in June 2024:
- 540 people registered and 250 attended
- 95% would recommend the service
- 95% felt more informed about NHS services
- 84% understood more about their rights
- 79% felt more confident about giving birth
Congratulations to the team for their hard work serving our communities!