Innovative awards success celebrated

Posted: 10 July 2012 by Rob Dabrowski

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity (APPGM) was behind the prestigious awards.

There were five categories and the reception was attended by 135 guests, including health secretary Andrew Lansley, DH officials and a range of health service representatives, among others.

The West London African Women’s Service at Chelsea & Westminster NHS Trust triumphed in two categories.

It received awards for its ability to improve outcomes for mothers and babies and for tackling the complex medical needs brought about by female genital mutilation (FGM).

Naomi Low-Beer, consultant gynaecologist for the team, said: ‘We are delighted to receive this award which highlights the serious health problems experienced by thousands of women in the UK as a result of FGM.
 
‘Our innovative service has worked hard to reach women who are often reluctant to seek medical advice through conventional healthcare pathways so that we can meet the complex needs of women with FGM before, during and after pregnancy.
 
‘We hope that our success will inspire other similar services to improve the care that the NHS provides for this vulnerable and often marginalised group of women.’

Dr Dan Poulter, MP and chair of the APPGM, was due to speak at the event and congratulate winners.

However, he was stuck in the session in which the House of Lords reform bill was being debated and was unable to attend.

But he released the following statement: ‘It is important that high quality frontline NHS work in maternity care is properly recognised, and these awards help to highlight the contributions of a number of healthcare workers to improving women’s care and experience of pregnancy and childbirth.’

Belinda Phipps, chief executive of NCT, which sponsored the awards with Pampers, said: ‘These are all excellent examples of what can be achieved through committed staff, focused work and innovation in services, and we hope they will act as an inspiration to other Trusts around the country.’

The full list of winners is:

Best example of involvement of service users in the development and delivery of maternity services: The 2gether weight management in pregnancy programme, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, and Cossham Birth Centre, North Bristol Trust.
 
Multidisciplinary team of the year: Diabetes in Pregnancy Service, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, and (highly commended): Women’s Services Reconfiguration, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Luton Mellow Parenting, NHS Luton.
 
Most marked improvement in services to address health inequalities or improve outcomes for mothers and babies: West London African Women’s Service, Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, and (highly commended): Gloucestershire Maternity Service, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Wickbourne Caseload Midwifery Practice, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust.

Most inclusive maternity service for new fathers and mothers: Early Intervention Service Midwifery Team London Newham, Newham University Hospital NHS Trust.
 
Best example of a service for women with complex medical needs in pregnancy: West London African Women’s Service.