New advocate service for families suffering baby deaths or injuries in Gloucestershire
The role will ensure families voices are heard and acted upon by care providers.
Gloucestershire's the first part of the country to see a dedicated independent advocate supporting families who suffer baby deaths or injuries.
Joanna Garratt's role will ensure families voices are heard and acted upon by care providers.
It's being brought in following the Okenden review into needless baby deaths at the Telford and Shrewsbury Hospital trusts.
Joanna said: “I have lots of experience of caring for and supporting patients and families in often complex and challenging situations. I am committed to supporting families who have experienced an adverse outcome and support them to have their voices heard.”
Dawn Morrall, Assistant Director of Midwifery at NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board says:
‘’While adverse outcomes in maternity care, such as brain injury or death for a mother or baby, are very rare, the investigation processes which follow can sometimes be difficult for families to navigate. It is vital that families are supported to ask questions about their or their babies care, and that they are listened to and heard by their maternity and neonatal care providers.”
“This new pilot led by NHS England will provide an advocate who can help families navigate the processes and signpost them to the best support available, and we are pleased to be one of the first areas in the country to have this important bespoke role in our community.”
Lisa Stephens, Director of Midwifery at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says:
‘This pilot will provide families with the independent support and guidance that is so important. This work will continue to improve the way we listen to women and families where they have had an adverse outcome, and learn from their experiences.’’