NHS North East Essex and Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust have announced details of open discussion sessions to seek people’s views on how local maternity services should be shaped in the future.

Denise Hagel, Director of Nursing at NHS North East Essex, said: “Our aim is to enlighten potential mums and families on the choices available to them and to listen to what they think so together we can improve the way services are provided.

“We want to ensure all mothers have an informed choice about where they go for antenatal, delivery and postnatal care and to ensure mothers, babies and their families receive the best quality care in the most appropriate setting for their needs. Their views will inform service plans.”

Across north eastEssex, there are three permanently staffed midwife-led birthing units. These are the Juno Suite atColchesterGeneralHospitaland at the community hospitals inClactonand Harwich. There is also a non-permanently staffed birthing centre in Halstead.

Last year there were 3,882 births in Colchester, 163 inClactonand 165 in Harwich. In addition, there were 129 home births. With further development and greater awareness, more families in the coastal area could have their babies locally instead of travelling toColchester.

Denise added: “Through public engagement, we want to deliver a better service for women and their families which benefits from our investment in local services and staff to manage the increasing birth rate.”

The discussion sessions are being planned with the help of the local Maternity Services Liaison Committee (MSLC) which has local mums among its members.

Details of the open discussion sessions are as follows:

• Thursday 23rd Feb, 7-9pm, Frinton Community Centre, Frinton, CO13 0AU
• Tuesday 28th Feb, 9.30-11.30am, Pier Avenue Baptist Church, Clacton, CO15 1NJ
• Thursday 8th March, 7-9pm, St Nicholas Hall, Harwich, CO12 3HS
• Tuesday 13th March, 9.30-11.30am, Earls Colne Children's Centre, CO6 2RH
• Thursday 15th March, 7-9pm, Primary Care Centre,Colchester, CO4 5JR
• Thursday 22nd March, 7-9pm, The Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery, Halstead, CO9 1EX
• Tuesday 27th March, 9.30-11.30am, Clacton Coastal Academy, Coast Campus, Jaywick Lane, Clacton, CO16 8BE
• Drop in session on Tuesday 10th April, 10am - 1pm, Cornerstone, 5-7 Sir Isaac's Walk, Colchester, CO1 1JJ
• Tuesday 17 April, 9.30-11.30am,St John’s Church, Colchester, CO4 0HP
• Tuesday 24th April, 9.30-11.30am, Long Meadows Community Centre, Harwich, CO12 4US

If you would like to register for one of these workshops please email: public.involvement@nhs.net or telephone 01245 459395 with your name, email address, telephone number, town and advise whether you are a member of the public or if you are representing a specific organisation.  Further details are also available at www.northeastessex.nhs.uk

View our New Maternity Strategy

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