Hornchurch & Upminster MP, Julia Lopez, has called for the return of the Maternity Continuity of Care model so local mums-to-be get better support in pregnancy. The MP has made the request as part of her response to the NHS North East London’s (NEL) review of maternity services and after representations from local families after the service was cut.
The Maternity Continuity of Care service meant that expecting mothers and families would have one midwife throughout their pregnancy, including postnatal support.
The service was previously available to expectant mothers in parts of the Hornchurch & Upminster constituency and was highly valued among those who received support from the team.
However, staffing challenges meant the trust could not operate the service with the recommended number of midwives as put forward by the Ockenden report into maternity services in England. As such, the model was withdrawn locally in 2022.
Now Mrs Lopez is calling on NHS NEL to re-instate this highly valued service in her response to the review in the hopes of bringing it back. In a letter to NHS NEL’s CEO, Zina Etheridge, the MP has called for the return of the service model as well as sharing the views of residents.
Commenting on the review, Mrs Lopez said:
“Too many local families have a poor experience of birth on the NHS and we must do better for mums going through this major moment in their lives. When the Maternity Continuity of Care service was withdrawn from our area back in 2022, lots of mothers and families wrote to me to express their disappointment at the decision. Back then I met with the CEO and senior nursing team at BHRUT to share the views of residents and highlight the demand for the service.
“Sadly, the service was withdrawn due to challenges around staffing. However, I know that getting back to a Maternity Continuity of Care model is an ambition which we both share.
“I’m now calling on NHS NEL to take the measures necessary to ensure the re-introduction of this highly valuable service. I would like to thank the mothers and families who’ve written to me for sharing their experiences and views to help improve maternity services in our region.”
NHS NEL commissioned the review into maternity services earlier this year in response to challenges identified in the region, including an increased population and an increased number of complicated pregnancies.
