Wirral launches maternity passports to improve support for parents with learning disabilities and neurodivergence
Maternity Passports have been launched at Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) to provide personalised support to parents with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and neurodivergence throughout their pregnancy and parenting journey.
The introduction of the Maternity Passport marks an important step forward in making maternity services more inclusive, personalised and responsive to individual needs.
Parenthood can present challenges and some parents may need additional support to prepare for pregnancy, birth and caring for their baby. Support may include practical help, emotional support, or coordinated input from health professionals, early years services, social care teams, community organisations and family networks.
The new Maternity Passport has been introduced to help professionals better understand and respond to the individual needs of birthing people and their families, ensuring they receive the right support at the right time.
Anyone receiving care from Wirral Midwifery Service who feels they would benefit from using a Maternity Passport can speak to their midwife, who will discuss their individual needs and provide a copy where appropriate.
The passport is designed to support conversations about personalised care and help ensure reasonable adjustments and additional support can be identified and put in place throughout pregnancy and beyond.
This work has been developed collaboratively by health, local authority and family support partners across Wirral over the past year and informed by feedback from parents with lived experience of learning needs to ensure the approach reflects local needs and experiences.
The guidance provides a clear pathway and good practice framework for professionals caring for and supporting parents with a learning disability, learning difficulty or neurodivergence throughout their maternity journey.
Michelle Beales-Shaw, Named Midwife for Safeguarding Lead Specialist for Domestic Abuse and Harmful Practice at WUTH, said: “Every parent’s experience is different and we want everyone accessing our maternity services to feel supported, understood and listened to.
“The Maternity Passport will help our teams provide more personalised care and ensure parents with additional needs receive the right support throughout their pregnancy and beyond.”
The Wirral pathway has been shaped using the Learning Disability Maternity Diamond Standards developed in the North East of England and The Together Project, created by the University of Surrey, which focuses on identifying needs early, preparing for parenthood and supporting families through pregnancy, birth and beyond.
The guidance aims to improve communications and experience during pregnancy, identify complex needs, support professionals to share good practice and understand individual needs.
Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “This project reflects our commitment to delivering inclusive, person-centred care and reducing inequalities in access and experience.
“We’re proud to be introducing the Maternity Passport in Wirral and to be working alongside partners to help families receive the support they need at every stage of their journey.”
Sarah Heath, Practice Improvement Team, Wirral Children’s Social Care, said: “We are incredibly proud to have worked in close collaboration with our health partners to explore how we can better support parents who may benefit from more individualised guidance throughout their pregnancy and birthing journey.
“We hope the Maternity Passport will help professionals recognise and respond more effectively to parents’ needs, while ensuring families feel heard, understood and supported.
“This partnership has shown the value of working together with a shared commitment to improving experiences and outcomes for families across Wirral.”
Dr Anna Cox, Senior Research Fellow, School of Health Sciences at the University of Surrey and creator of The Together Project, said: “All parents deserve support that recognises their strengths and enables them to prepare for parenthood in a meaningful way.
“It is fantastic to see organisations across Wirral come together to adopt this approach and create a more joined-up experience for families.”
The project was launched during Learning Disability Week to highlight the importance of equitable access to maternity services and ensuring every parent has the opportunity to succeed with the right support in place.
The Maternity Passport project has brought together professionals from:
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital Midwifery Service
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital Safeguarding and Complex Care Team
- Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust 0-19 team
- Wirral Family Help Service
- Wirral Council Practice Improvement Team
- Cheshire and Merseyside Community Learning Disability Team