Transforming postnatal care

Postnatal care, the ‘Cinderella’ of NHS maternity services, is often undervalued and in the shadow of its bigger siblings, antenatal and intrapartum care. The women of North West London told us that their postnatal care was not always consistent, and that the messages they received were sometimes conflicting and confusing. In short, they wanted continuity and personalised care. We listened, and set about devising ways in which we could improve and transform the way local postnatal care was delivered.

The population of North West London is socially and culturally diverse, with complex needs, both physical and emotional. More than 100 languages are spoken across our boroughs, and women and families often access care across our geographical boundaries, challenging continuity of care, information and services. The confines of the NHS can make these barriers somewhat overwhelming, particularly when there are fierce competing demands and priorities. As a midwife, I have experience in providing postnatal care in a variety of settings. Embarking on a transformation project for the first time, with the chance to pursue significant changes, seemed too good an opportunity to miss.