NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney has invested an extra �635,000 into recruiting 14 additional midwifery staff.The investment comes as part of the region-wide “maternity matters” programme, which aims to increase the quality and choice of care available to all women, both before and during labour and after they deliver their baby.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney has invested an extra �635,000 into recruiting 14 additional midwifery staff.

The investment comes as part of the region-wide “maternity matters” programme, which aims to increase the quality and choice of care available to all women, both before and during labour and after they deliver their baby.

In total, 11 midwives and three assistant midwives will be recruited, with eight of the positions already filled. Work is continuing to recruit to the remaining posts, which will all be based at James Paget Hospital.

In addition, the PCT has increased the availability of ante and post-natal care, and now runs sessions six days a week so that parents can access help and support at a time and place which suits them.

Patient satisfaction surveys have also taken place to give mums the chance to feedback their views and help identify areas for further improvement.

Information leaflets are currently being designed to give those in early pregnancy details about what to do next, such as booking an appointment with a midwife and looking after their health. It is hoped the leaflets will be available across the PCT area, in GP surgeries, pharmacies and even supermarkets.

Elaine Mash, commissioning manager for children and maternity with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “The maternity matters programme ensures that every expectant mother is offered convenient, effective help and support at a time and place which suits them, from the moment they find out they're pregnant until after they have delivered their baby.

“It sets out a number of criteria which all primary care trusts must meet, including offering choice throughout pregnancy and ensuring one-to-one care during labour. We have worked extremely closely with our partners at James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to deliver these improvements and are well on our way towards meeting all maternity matters criteria by the middle of next year.

“We are committed to ensuring that mothers in Great Yarmouth and Waveney have happy, healthy pregnancies, with all the help and support they need to give their babies the best start in life. This extra investment in new staff, coupled with the initiatives we are introducing across the region, will allow us to achieve that aim.”

Carol Mutton, head of midwifery at James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Maternity services are delighted with the investments made and the additional resources can only improve the scope of the services that we provide. Partnership working with the PCT is vital to ensure there is service improvement.”