THE NHS in Cumbria is calling on anyone passionate about maternity services in Furness.

The county’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is establishing a committee for users, providers and commissioners of maternity services in the area, which will be launching on Mother’s Day in Barrow.

Maternity Matters in Furness (MMF) will be made up of anyone who wants to have a say in the planning and provision of maternity care.

“Maternity Matters in Furness are recruiting now, so this is a call to action for people who are passionate about maternity services,” said Dr Geoff Jolliffe, GP Lead for Furness.

“This forum will enable people to come together to design and influence services that will meet the needs of local women, parents and their families.”

The group will able to advise on developments in local maternity services, monitor progress on new initiatives and raise awareness of what services are available to new parents.

Once MMF is established the meetings will be held four to six times throughout the year for two hours on a Friday afternoon, at a venue that can provide supervised crèche facilities so mums and dads attending the meeting are able to bring their children.

Members attending the meetings will be reimbursed for public transport costs and childcare expenses.

“We are really excited about the development of the maternity services liaison committee within south Cumbria,” said Sascha Wells, Deputy Director of Midwifery.

“It is really important that we listen to the voices of the women and families that use our services and work with them to make the improvements and changes that they suggest and would like to see developed.”

She added: “Together we will be able to shape maternity services that meet the needs of the community, women and their families across south Cumbria.”

The launch event will be held on March 28 at the Banqueting Room at Barrow Town Hall, between 1.30pm and 3pm.

To find out more about joining Maternity Matters in Furness, call 01229-404 680.