A NEW scheme launching this week is hoping to give parents a voice in maternity care.

NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is working with Bolton NHS Foundation Trust to set up a the group that will provide parents, and ‘parents to be’ with the opportunity to share their experiences of Bolton’s service.

The Maternity Voices Partnership (MVP) will launch at an event on Thursday.

CCG chairman Dr Wirin Bhatiani said: "NHS Bolton CCG is committed to putting the patient voice at the heart of every decision we make.

"The new Maternity Voices Partnership is a chance for parents to influence future developments in maternity services. Your experiences are invaluable in helping us to improve patient care and ensure that having a baby in Bolton is a positive experience.”

It will look at topics that are important to parents and their families, using their experiences and feedback to make recommendations on how maternity care can be developed.

This will include care received from midwives, nurses, health visitors, support staff, doctors, and other health professionals within local services that parents and their family members use.

Catherine Owens, consultant midwife at the trust added: "Bolton maternity services are delighted to be part of this partnership.

"We are committed to delivering a maternity service which is safe, personal and where women and their families are fully involved in the decision making throughout their care.

"The partnership will help women and their families to share their pregnancy experience, which then allows us to respond to their needs and shape future services. It is very important for the future of maternity care."

The launch event will explain in more detail the purpose of Bolton Maternity Voices Partnership and how local people can get involved, as well as providing an update on recent developments in maternity services in the borough.

It will run from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Thursday, lunch provided, at Tonge Children’s Centre, in Starkie Road, Bolton.

Anyone wishing to attend can book a place by visiting www.boltonccg.nhs.uk/news-events/events/launch-of-bolton-maternity-voices-partnership, or call 0800 588 4400, or email letsmakeitbolton@nhs.net for more information.