
Elizabeth Duff
@elizabethduff2
Policy adviser, maternal health, NCT. International news editor, Midwifery journal. Tour guide, Highgate Cemetery. Views on birth & death are my own ššŖ š
ID: 1366498668
20-04-2013 08:38:27
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Thanks to The Yorkshire Post for publishing my article with Trussell 's new stats. No child should be held back by hunger, but too many grow up in severe hardship and blights childhoods and has long term impacts on children's prospects in adulthood. yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/nā¦




A national maternity investigation has been launched ā and Health Secretary Wes Streeting has publicly acknowledged what so many of us have been raising for years: systemic failure, trauma, and ongoing inequalities in care. The governmentās own press release states that Black


Itās absolutely essential inquiry not only includes postnatal care of mother & baby but makes this key priority. Of maternal deaths, 80-90% occur postnatally, leaving 100s of motherless children each year. Care is sparse & fragmented even for 6 weeks post birth Royal College of Midwives š


++Agree Elizabeth Duff š£ Including postnatal care must be an essential part of the Maternity Inquiry- the level of variation in essential healthcare is getting worseā¼ļøwith weak system levers to ensure all women & babies get high quality care-this cannot be left to chance š

Continuity through to postnatal; properly co-ordinated care when different agencies needed; real value given to community services: these are part of the SOLUTION. Wes Streeting please read and act. Itāll be a huge error to only focus on labour ward, though action needed here too

Regarding the planned NHS maternity inquiry, may I respectfully draw attention to this international call for better postnatal care? Please read, any who are involved ā¦Kate Brintworthā© ā¦Gill Waltonā© ā¦Ranee Thakarā© ā¦Alison Wright šā© revolution.postnatalsupportnetwork.com/postpartum-calā¦


In maternity & elsewhere, emphasis on community options is right. But weāve heard this for 30+ years now & every time budgets tighten, itās the local service thatās lost because it doesnāt hit the headlines in the same way. Community services need long-term, sustained investment.

Helpful summary; modestly encouraging news. Iād like to see a specific Department of Health and Social Care commitment that postnatal care is wholly redesigned giving new families a coherent pathway of support, commissioned & provided by one authority, not the present 3 or 4. It would save mothersā lives.

Elizabeth Duff Department of Health and Social Care Good point Elizabeth Duff The plan sets out a commitment to provide āgreater clarity about roles & purpose in the systemā - we hope that this will mean much clearer AN &PN healthcare for all families (especially the role of HVs where local variation is causing disparities)š¤

A delightful visit to ā¦West Norwood Cemeteryā© where residents include William Gilbart of Westminster Bank (his 19C banking textbooks still used); fighter against racism Joe Hunte; sailor John Wimble & beautiful nautical stoneworks; Henry Tateās vault with just a hint of sugar-cube!




Unusual, but powerful, when Government MPs and Opposition MPs unite in the common cause of #WASPI compensation. Itās just the The Labour Party front bench who need to recognise that the compensation they promised in opposition must be paid.
