Somerset Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP)
Working in partnership to improve maternity and neonatal services in Somerset
About Somerset MNVP
Somerset MNVP is the formal partner of Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), responsible for providing the voice of service users to inform development of maternity and neonatal care in the county.
We support the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) to ensure services are delivered in a kind, personal and safe way by making sure the service user voice is central to all decision making and quality oversight. This enables the ICB to fulfil its responsibilities in line with the three year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services in England.
We engage with people who have recently used local maternity and neonatal services, listening to their experiences and feedback. We share their insight with the Somerset Integrated Care System and the maternity and neonatal service providers it commissions, to make sure people’s opinions are at the heart of shaping local services.
Somerset MNVP is managed and supported by Evolving Communities.
Get involved
Volunteer
Share your feedback
Birth Reflection service
For some people a reflective discussion about their labour and birth can help bring some clarity, understanding and hopefully resolve any unanswered questions. NHS Somerset maternity services offer a Birth Reflection service (not a counselling or complaints service), which gives you time with a midwife to talk and ask questions. For more information and to self-refer, please click the link.
What we do
Focus groups
We host focus groups on specific maternity and neonatal themes, to build an accurate picture of people’s experiences and needs.
Gathering feedback
We listen to and gather feedback from communities across Somerset, especially who are hard to reach or seldom heard.
'Walk the Patch'
We ‘Walk the Patch’ and do the ’15 Steps’ challenge within the local maternity and neonatal units/hospitals, to check that the facilities and care meets the needs of the people using them.
Attending events and networking
We attend local, regional and national events to network and ensure people’s voices are always heard.
Critical friendship and accountability
We provide critical friendship and accountability to professionals within the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS), including NHS Trusts, Local Authority and Integrated Care Board.
News and events
Follow us on social media to keep up-to-date with our news and opportunities to get involved.
How your views make a difference
Find out how we use your feedback to influence positive change in maternity and neonatal care in Somerset.
Our work
15 steps to good maternity and neonatal care in Somerset
Healthy Pregnancy Project in Somerset
Improving support for Black, Asian and minority ethnic families in Somerset
Improving pregnancy and baby loss care in Somerset
Maternal Mental Health Service in Somerset
Celebrating a year of coproduction
Maternity services improved by listening to local families
Get in touch
If you have questions or feedback about any aspect of our work or maternity services in Somerset, please get in touch:
somersetMVP@evolvingcommunities.co.uk