THIRTY mums gathered in Heversham to discuss maternity care across Cumbria.

Organised by Staveley mum-of-two Nicola Crompton, the Maternity Voices event was hosted by Mel Gard, who is a service user representative, and who chairs the Bay-Wide Maternity Voices Partnership (MVP).

Ms Gard was able to explain some of the new initiatives that are already being developed to ensure that every mum has her wishes respected, in any situation, and any birthplace.

One example is letting mums know that their birth partner can now stay with them 24 hours after a birth in the hospitals.

There was also discussion about a new project, Communication Matters in Maternity, which sees care providers attending workshops to hear mums'

stories and raise awareness of the importance of excellent communication during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.

All of the feedback from the group is being reviewed directly with the Helme Chase and Cross-Bay Community Matron and the Head of

Midwifery and Director Sasha Wells.

The feedback will be discussed at the next Maternity Voices Partnership meeting to which everyone interested at Helme Chase on January 31, 10am-midday.

To find out more, email baywidemvp@morecambebayccg.nhs.uk

The next Maternity Voices meeting will be at St Thomas' playgroup on January 11 from 10-11.30am.