Grantham's first maternity hub marks its first anniversary
Grantham’s first maternity hub celebrated its first anniversary last month.
The hub, which is based at Swingbridge Children’s Centre, offers parents access to antenatal, postnatal and general health and social services all under one roof.
The ‘one-stop shop’ also has a variety of midwives, health visitors, children centre staff, mental health services and a variety of support groups all working in the same facility.
The initiative is part of NHS England’s Maternity Transformation Programme – a programme which aims to ensure women and their babies receive safe, more personalised care that suits the needs of the local community and and supports the national maternity review, Better Births.
At the launch in December 2017, early help manager children’s services LCC, Fiona Railton said: “Lots of women feel like they get lots of antenatal care but feel a little lost after the baby has arrived. They will now be able to have access to all the right people in one place.”
The children’s centre marked their first anniversary on Tuesday, December 4, by inviting local families to come and see what the hub has to offer families with children aged 0-5 years old.
It was attended by 42 families and 46 children, who enjoyed a variety of craft activities, stay and play sessions and the sensory room.
They also had face painting, raffled mini treatments for mums and gave out free items for both children and parents.
Grantham was one of four initial pilot sites spread across Lincolnshire for a year, however the Better Births NHSE is a three year programme.
Due to their success it has been agreed to continue with the hubs and develop further sites.
Birth and Beyond community volunteers have also been trained to offer free practical and emotional support throughout the journey as a parent.
This may include accompanying families to local support groups or appointments and signposting to relevant services.
Parents can also access other services through the hub including smoking cessation, Addaction, P3 and other voluntary agencies who each provide peer support.
Women can also have the opportunity to connect with professionals who will be working with them after childbirth.
If you are a parent to an unborn or a child up to the age of five years old and would like to know more about the provision on offer at Grantham Swingbridge Children’s Centre, call 01476590034 or contact Grantham Belton Lane Children’s Centre on 01522 550901.
Alternatively you can join their Facebook page at South Kesteven Children’s Centres – North.
