The Norfolk and Waveney Local Maternity and Neonatal System undertook an Equity and Equality needs assessment of maternity services in our region. The needs assessment formed the first part of a two-part process, with two aims for maternity and neonatal care:
- Equity for mothers and babies from Black, Asian and Mixed ethnic groups and those living in the most economically deprived areas
- Race equality for staff
This work is produced in direct response to 2021/22 priorities and operational planning guidance, supplementing the Local Maternity Transformation plans developed in 2017 with a co-produced equity and equality analysis that follows a two-step process:
- Submitting an equity and equality analysis (covering health outcomes, community assets and staff experience) and a co-production plan
- Co-producing equity and equality actions plans setting out how the NHS will work in partnership to ensure equity for women and babies and race equality for staff
To achieve Equity and Equality, the NHS have made four pledges for maternity and neonatal care. The LMNS work on the assessment and action plan will support these pledges.
