New independent maternity and neonatal advocacy role for Suffolk and north east Essex

A clinician with two decades of midwifery experience has been appointed to a new NHS role which will support women and their families who have experienced an adverse outcome during their maternity or neonatal care.

Nanette Money has taken on the role of Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate (MNISA) for the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) area.

The role is entirely independent of the local hospitals and is one of 19 pilots developed by NHS England across the country following the Ockenden review into maternity care at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust.

Nanette’s role will be to make sure those who have experienced an adverse outcome are able to voice their concerns and are listened to and that the care providers appropriately act upon any concerns raised.

There is no time limit for anyone who needs to make contact. Whether the concern relates to a recent experience or from the past, Nanette will aim to provide support and help those affected.  She will assist with navigation of the NHS complaints system, attend any care discussion meetings with providers and offer a guiding hand throughout the entirety of the investigations process.

An adverse outcome is a serious incident and the MNISA is able to become involved with service users who have experienced the following:

• Stillbirth (after 24 weeks of pregnancy)
• Neonatal death
• Maternal death
• Unexpected or unplanned hysterectomy (within six weeks of birth)
• Women and birthing people admitted to critical / intensive care
• Brain Injury that has been diagnosed or suspected, including Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

Anyone wishing to make contact can do so directly or you can ask a member of the hospital staff or your GP practice to make contact for you.

Further information including contact details are available via the Suffolk and North East Essex Maternity and Neonatal Services website.

Commenting on her appointment to the role, Nanette said: “Thankfully, adverse outcomes in maternity and neonatal care are rare, but it’s so important we have easily accessible support in place and ready to help.

“People don’t have to be certain that mistakes happened or negligence occurred in their care, but I want them to know that by contacting me I will do all I can to help them and to get their questions satisfactorily answered.

“My role is an independent one and I am not employed by the hospitals which means people can be assured of my impartiality and commitment doing my very best for them.”