Maternity and neonatal care highlighted on 'World Patient Safety Day' in Oldham

It was World Patient Safety Day on Friday, and this year’s theme was safety in maternal and newborn care.

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought challenges for health services both locally and globally, not least the teams working within maternity and neonatal services across the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group.

Despite significant changes made to their usual ways of working as part of the Covid response, the dedicated teams at The Royal Oldham Hospital and across all community midwifery services in Rochdale and Oldham stepped up to the challenge.

They’ve cared for thousands of women since the start of the pandemic, prioritising their safety and that of their unborn babies, with more than 8,000 newborns safely birthed – both in the maternity unit in Oldham and in hundreds of homes across local communities in Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.

Simon Mehigan, Director of Midwifery at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group, said: “The pandemic has been one of the most challenging times the NHS has ever faced and I want to once again say a huge thank you to every member of our team for their dedication and care.

"They have helped prioritise the safety of thousands of women and babies and I am so proud of them all.”

The maternity and neonatal healthcare teams across the NCA continue to support pregnant women and birthing people during pregnancy and birth, as families once their babies are born and as restrictions have started to ease.

However, this World Patient Safety Day, the message from Simon in relation to Covid and keeping themselves and their unborn babies safe was clear – make sure you are vaccinated.

In a recent video message released by Oldham Council, Simon outlined the reasons why the Covid19 vaccination is so important to protect expectant mums and their babies.

He explained: “Covid-19 infection in pregnancy carries a greater risk to women who are pregnant, and increases the risk of severe illness and your baby being born prematurely.

"We’ve seen more admissions of pregnant women to our ICU department over the last few weeks with Covid, many of whom have gone on to have early deliveries and babies who have required care in our neonatal unit.

“By having the vaccine you are reducing this risk, and it really is the simplest way to keep you and your baby safe.”

The national Government recommendations, supported by the Royal College of Midwives together with Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, are that pregnant women receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, and this can be at any point in their pregnancy

Simon added: “Women receiving maternity care with us can be vaccinated at any of their antenatal clinic or scan appointments at either The Royal Oldham or at our services in Rochdale - just ask a member of staff to direct you to our vaccination hub who will be able to make you an appointment.

"It really is the best way to keep yourself and your unborn baby safe from the associated risks of Covid-19.”

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