New maternity and neonatal independent senior advocate for Lancashire and South Cumbria

Women and families in Lancashire and South Cumbria can now seek the support of an advocate if something has gone wrong with their maternity or neonatal care. 

The maternity and neonatal independent senior advocate is a new senior role which is being piloted to support women, birthing people and families. This will ensure the voices of women and families are listened to and acted upon by their maternity and neonatal care providers when they have experienced an adverse outcome any time during their maternity and neonatal care – recently or some time ago. 

An adverse outcome is a serious incident such as:  

• A baby has died before they were born.
• A baby has died in the days or weeks after they were born. 
• Mum has died. 
• Mum had an unplanned removal of her uterus within six weeks of giving birth. 
• Mum had unplanned care in a critical care unit or an intensive care unit. 
• The baby was diagnosed with a brain injury or a brain injury was suspected. 

The advocate can support women, service users and families by helping them understand the maternity and neonatal healthcare system, attending follow up meetings where concerns about maternity or neonatal care are being discussed, and supporting them through investigation and complaints processes.  

The advocate will initially serve those who have received care at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. 

Louise Peacock, new maternity and neonatal independent senior advocate for Lancashire and South Cumbria, said:

“I am here to help you and your family to be listened to by your maternity and neonatal care teams. You do not need to be sure if there were mistakes or negligence in your or your baby’s care to ask for my support. I can attend meetings with you, as well as supporting you through investigation and complaints processes.” 

Vanessa Wilson, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board programme director for women and children’s services, said:

“Adverse outcomes in maternity care are very rare, but it is vital that families are supported through these difficult times, and that they are listened to by care providers. We are pleased to be one of the first areas in the country to have this important bespoke role in our community.”

How can I contact a Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate?

Contacting advocate is free.You will not be charged for any support and if you need an interpreter one can be made available for you. You advocate by phone, email, writing to them or by filling out the form on this QR code below. You can also ask staff in your local hospital, GP surgery or any health and care professional to get the advocate to contact you. 

Email: Lscicb.mnisa@nhs.net

Phone: 07747 455625

How is a Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate independent?

A Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate is independent from the trust that provided your care. They report to Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which which is responsible for directing the way care is carried out in your area. 
They keep what you tell them confidential unless you ask or agree for them to share it with others. The only exception to this is if they have worries about you or your family which they will discuss with you. 

What happens at the end of the pilot?

At the end of the pilot (May 2025), if your case is still ongoing, a follow up support plan will be discussed with you. As this is a pilot scheme, there are currently no alternate Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocates if you do not feel that your Advocate is the right person for you. However, if you have a complaint about your Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate then you can contact Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB Patient Experience Team on:

Freephone: 0800 032 2424

Email: mlcsu.lscpatientexperience@nhs.net

Or click here.

The role was co-produced by NHS England working alongside maternity and neonatal service users and staff, following actions identified in the Ockenden review into maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust. The advocate is independent from NHS Trusts and reports to the Integrated Care Board. 

For more information go to https://www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/our-work/maternity-advocacy