We are deeply disappointed by the decision to end the Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocacy (MINSA) service pilot. Over the past 2 years, this service has provided vital support to families at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. It ensured that women, birthing people and families voices were heard, that concerns were escalated and actioned with clarity, and that they were supported to engage meaningfully with maternity and neonatal processes during times of trauma and grief.
This service was established in response to a clear and pressing need for independent senior-level advocacy within maternity and neonatal care, as set out in the Ockendon report. Over its lifetime, the service has supported 47 families to understand processes, raise concerns and seek resolutions, while also providing valuable insights to services about where systems and cultures needed to improve. Its contribution has gone beyond individual cases, influencing learning and improvements in care and communication.
While the service may be ending, the needs it addressed have not gone away.
It is essential that we don’t lose the learning and relationships built over the last two years. Next steps will include sharing the learning from the women, birthing people and families we have supported, exploring sustainable models for future independent advocacy in this area, and considering how independent voices can continue to be embedded within maternity and neonatal care.
These families deserve nothing less, and it's our collective responsibility to ensure the legacy of this service leads to meaningful and lasting action.