The Prevention Workstream of the LMNS
Following the publication in 2016 of Better Births, The secretary of state for Health set out an ambition for maternity and neonatal services to half stillbirths, maternal, neonatal deaths, and brain injury by half by 2025. Across England there is a joint work stream between the Maternity Transformation Programme to implement its vision of preventative care. Better Births makes explicit reference to the importance of improving prevention and reducing health inequalities.
Most babies and children in England are healthy and well but there are significant variations and inequalities in health, education, and social outcomes with children from poorer backgrounds more likely to have poorer outcomes. Improving prevention through individualised care pathways, with groups of women at specific or increased risk of poor outcomes, and at a population level, is key to achieving the ambitions and recommendations of Better Births and reducing inequalities in outcomes for mothers and babies.
Goals
The Norfolk and Waveney LMNS recognises the important role that maternity care plays in supporting parents of all backgrounds to maximise their own health and wellbeing whilst also equipping parents with the skills, information, and confidence to maximise their child’s emotional, physical, and cognitive development. The Norfolk and Waveney LMNS promotes prevention across the maternity pathways, working closely with Local Authorities, and professionals including midwives, health visitors and primary care to promote health and wellbeing for pregnancy women/ people and their families. In line with the Maternity Transformation Program, the LMNS has been proactive in addressing the prevention agenda, identifying six prevention priorities for 2022/23:
- Immunisations
- Contraception
- Breastfeeding
- Tobacco dependency
- Drugs and alcohol
- Healthy weight and Nutrition
Key documents
Maternity high impact area reports: Supporting public health: children, young people and families – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)