Vulnerable pregnant patients are being supported by specialist maternity social prescribing link workers at a Teesside based healthcare trust – thanks to funding for two new maternity social prescribers.
The two new social prescribers, Julie Glass who is based at the University Hospital of North Tees and Nicola Rowbotham, who is based at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, have both been in post since the end of March.
Maternity social prescribers’ play a vital role in supporting patients in non-clinical ways to access a wide variety of services in the community. This could include health and wellbeing support, financial support, foodbank, baby bank, breast feeding support and family hub services.
Stockton South based prescriber, Julie Glass, said: “Our first two weeks were what you would expect and involved training, some community mapping and starting to develop our offer and build up our network of contacts.
“We were then paired with vulnerability midwife and quickly found ourselves doing home visits and getting to know some of the vulnerable mums-to-be that we would be supporting. We have been thrown in at the deep end and already have big caseloads – but we absolutely love it!
“It is amazing being able to support women from the moment they find out they are pregnant, right through to them having their baby and then those first tentative steps as a new mum. I still get emotional when I get to hold the children and to see our mums so self-assured and thriving.”
Hartlepool based prescriber, Nicola Rowbotham, said: “It’s been powerful to see how the smallest intervention can make a huge difference in building confidence and seeing patients come into their own. Sometimes it’s about educating on how to look after a newborn – things that come naturally to some mothers or more easily to those with families who are close by and can support them.
“Ultimately, it’s about listening and giving our patients time. But it can also just be about checking in and making sure that our vulnerable mums know what is out there and how they can access the support they need.
“We want you happy and healthy, so baby is happy and healthy in turn.”
The two new link workers are employed by Hartlepool and Stockton Health (H&SH), but work alongside vulnerability midwives and the community midwifery team at University Hospitals Tees. Julie’s caseload sees her supporting women in the Stockton South area, while Nicola looks after patients based in Hartlepool, Peterlee and areas of County Durham.
Julie said: “When I applied for the role, I never thought in a million years that I would get it, but here I am!”
“Honestly, such a privilege to be able to support our vulnerable mums-to-be. I’m learning every day, learning the intricacies of the job and the legalities of certain things.”
Nicola added: “I had always aspired to be a midwife, but I now feel really lucky to be working alongside some amazing midwives and working to support our vulnerable women.”
Senior clinical matron in community midwifery, Anne-Marie Collighan said: “Julie and Nicola have already proven themselves as invaluable members of the team and it’s great that we have them on board.
“They have been able to give our vulnerable mums-to-be that extra level of wrap around care at what can be a pivotal time in their lives. Having someone who will sit with them, listen to them and be non-judgemental and unbiased in offering support and signposting to the right services.
“Most importantly – they are able to recognise the needs of our patients beyond purely healthcare needs.”
Why have the maternity service social prescribing link worker roles been developed?
The social prescribing link worker is an important role that can be found across the NHS and is a key part of providing universal personalised care for patients.
Effective social prescribing can include:
– Identifying issues and/or problems by completing a personalised care plan
– Taking care of a patient’s health and wellbeing through a holistic approach
– Links to appropriate services and support networks in the hospital and out in the community
– Developing an open and honest relationship with the patient
Funding from the regional LMNS partnership has been vital in ensuring the trust can support the roll out of social prescriber support and ensures inclusive access to health services for maternity patients.