A CAMPAIGN is being spearheaded in Salisbury to reduce stillbirth, neonatal death and maternal injury nationally.

The Birth Trauma Association (BTA) is leading the Maternity Outcomes Matter (MOM) project and has been given a donation of £5,000 to undertake the initiative.

The national charity, which was founded in Salisbury 12 years ago runs support networks as well as being involved with research projects.

BTA research officer Maureen Treadwell, who is project co-ordinator of MOM, said: “We are trying to reduce adverse outcomes in maternity, that is something nobody could argue with. Our concern is the same sets of events are occurring again and again and again, and lessons are not being learned.”

She says key problems that have been found nationally are in assessing when a caesarean is needed, care of newborns, consent and communicating risk, and staffing levels.

Maureen said: “Working with a collaboration of other maternity groups, the initial plan is to draw up a report identifying the key issues from a user perspective, the recurring mistakes and why they recur, the barriers to change and how can they be overcome.”

The BTA are keen to get local people in the city involved in the MOM project to form a small core group to help with getting the report together and pushing the project forward.

“There is growing awareness that some of the big changes in health care are coming about as a result of service user and patient pressure and this is about the formation of such a user-led group to improve maternity outcomes,” said Maureen.

“It can not only save the NHS money but can reduce deaths and improve outcomes.”

The BTA are particularly interested in hearing from anyone interested in getting involved in the project and those with a general practice background.

Anyone interested in finding out more is asked to contact inquiries@ birthtraumaassociation.org.uk or call 01264 860 380.