Maternity Voices Partnership – North Kirklees and Huddersfield

What is Maternity Voices Partnership?

Maternity Voices Partnerships (MVPs) are working groups: teams of women and their families, commissioners, maternity staff working together to review and contribute to the development of their local maternity care.

What do we do?

We are a group of individuals who work together to review and contribute to the development and improvement of local Maternity Services here in Kirklees.  We very much value the views and ideas of women, partners and families who have used maternity services (from conception through to baby’s first birthday) as this helps to shape future developments to services e.g. midwifery, health visiting, antenatal classes, breastfeeding support, mental well-being, etc…

We meet approximately every 2-3 months, and when we do, we’ll always discuss feedback that we have received. As themes emerge we look to see how local services can be further developed, and we take steps to help this happen.

Kirklees Maternity Voices Partnership have:-

  • Worked closely with perinatal mental health services to ensure that local women have access to appropriate mental health support before, during and after their pregnancy.
  • Worked with local women and local professionals to develop resources and share information about the treatment of perineal trauma.
  • Assisted with the introduction of stop smoking messages at local hospitals

Kirklees Maternity Voices Partnership continue to:-

  • Work closely with Kirklees Council Public Health to give children the best start in life by encouraging positive lifestyle choices for a better outcome for mother and baby.
  • Work closely with the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Local Maternity System to implement the Better Birth Strategy.
  • Work in partnership with local hospitals, Thriving Kirklees and Locala to develop resources for families and parents about maternity services and early years.
  • Complete the 15 Steps for Maternity within the maternity wards at local hospitals.

To share your views or for more information please contact Amy Libell:

For women and families based in Batley, Dewsbury or Spen Valley contact mvpnorthkirklees@gmail.com

For women and families based in Huddersfield contact: mvpcalderdalehuddersfield@gmail.com