Kernow MNVP engages with maternity and neonatal service users from across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and represents their views by working with care providers and decision-makers to design, develop and improve maternity and neonatal care at a local and national level.
In 2024-25, following expansion of the team, Kernow MNVP worked hard to build connections and reach a range of communities across the breadth of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. They attended over 45 community projects and events and had the privilege of speaking to hundreds of families, listening to their personal feedback and experiences with maternity care. Over 90 people completed ‘Have Your Say’ forms offering valuable insights and deepened their understanding of what truly matters to parents.
In addition, Kernow MNVP focused their work last year on some key projects and engagement activities:
- Kernow Parenting Journey: Kernow MNVP collaborated with partners and service users to advance the Pregnancy Circles initiative through face-to-face sessions by community teams. including launches in Penrice and Isles of Scilly. This was enhanced by the Personalised Care and Support Plans to help people make informed decisions about their care.
- Maternity Natters Bitesize: This initiative made significant progress, with Kernow MNVP collaborating with the Cornwall IT Services team and healthcare providers to shape website development alignment with Personalised Care and Support Plans.
- 15 Steps to quality care in community maternity services: Kernow MNVP focused their visits with staff, volunteers and service users at community venues in St Austell, Helston and Newquay. Using NHS England’s 15 Steps process, their report contained some recommendations around improvement in communication and information but also highlighted some wonderful areas of good practice.
- Overnight support pilot: Kernow MNVP supported Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust develop a pilot on the postnatal ward to allow birthing people the support of their partner or support person overnight. Following feedback that showed this was an overwhelming positive experience for those that stayed on the ward, it has been agreed that this will be a permanent change.
Susan Bracefield, Chief Nursing Officer at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, praised the value of Kernow MNVP’s work: “This year, Kernow MNVP has again demonstrated its role in improving experiences for women and families across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who are using maternity and neonatal services.
“Through public engagement and close community partnerships, the team ensures local voices are heard at the heart of maternity and neonatal care. Among recent successes, the overnight support pilot on the postnatal ward – now made permanent – is a clear example of the positive change it helps to bring about.
“We are grateful for the work of Kernow MNVP and proud to continue supporting its important mission to champion those who use our maternity and neonatal services.”
Announcing the annual report, Nicki Burnett, Senior Lead for Kernow MNVP, said: “I am so proud of the work we have done this year and so grateful to the leaders across Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board who have consciously made the decision to invest and support, meaningful and sustainable service user voice even when it is challenging. We hold the voices of our communities at the heart of everything we do.”
More information
Read the full Kernow Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership Annual Report 2024-25
To keep up to date with KMNVPs work or to share your experience of local maternity services:
- Webpage Kernow Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership
- Subscribe to the KMNVP newsletter