Local maternity and neonatal system
Everyone involved in maternity and neonatal services across Kent and Medway is working together in a local maternity and neonatal system to improve care for pregnant women and their families.
Why were LMNSs were set up?
They were set up in 2017 following the national review of maternity services to create local improvement plans. Since then, much improvement has taken place. Women and families are increasingly having a say in new service developments through Maternity and Neonatal Voice Partnerships, and separate organisations are joining up to support safety improvements across the area. More women have access to their own digital maternity record, more university places are being created to train midwives, and more continuity teams are being introduced.
Improving maternity services
Lessons are being learned from poorer outcomes in the past, and all maternity services are working hard to follow the recommendations of the recent independent safety review (Ockenden report).
The vision for safer, more personalised services is set out in the Better Births report.
There is ongoing work to be done to make sure all women, expectant families and babies have the best care possible. This is particularly true for groups of women facing unequal chances of a healthy pregnancy and birth, including Black and Asian women, and women from disadvantaged areas. Working together, and listening to local families, we are committed to providing the highest standards of care for all in Kent and Medway.