Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust working with the PCT's and Community
Link Antenatal Clinic
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Liverpool is well known for its multicultural presence. It consists of different black and other racial minorities groups with different cultures, religions and beliefs. 6% of women served by Liverpool Women's Hospital are from ethnic minority groups. However this figure is on the increase due to the dispersal of asylum seekers and refugees to Liverpool.
The "Link" Antenatal Clinic was set up in 1999 to meet the needs of women who, for cultural or religious reasons, are unable to see a male Consultant or who do not have English as their first language and would benefit from the support of bilingual Health Link Workers. Women attending the clinic include Chinese, Somali, Arabic, French Speaking Africans, Bengali, Urdu, Tamil and women from Eastern Europe including Kosovan, Russian, Polish and Mongolian.
The Clinic was set up using a multi-disciplinary approach; in partnership with the Liverpool Health Authority, Primary Care Group and in collaboration with the Community Midwives, Consultants, Health Visitors and Health Link Workers.
The Female Genital Mutilation/Multi-Cultural Women Advisory Group was launched with the help of Liverpool Health Authority and Primary Care Trust simultaneously with the establishment of the Link Clinic. The group, which is multi-disciplinary and involves local women, has supported the set up of the clinic since 1999. The group meets bi-monthly and acts as a catalyst for change in providing services for ethnic minority women. For more information about the group see www.liverpoolfgmgroup.uk (Website Under Construction)
The prime aim of the Link Clinic is to provide the best possible care to mothers by providing:
- Continuity of antenatal care within a non-judgmental frame-work from a small group of midwives and obstetricians
- Reducing problems associated with ethnic minority women e.g. women who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), lack of calcium and Vitamin D, women who are refugees or seeking asylum (there is a Named midwife for Asylum Seekers and Refugees)
- Offering parent education according to their languages
- Counseling women who have undergone FGM and offering them defibulation between 20-27 weeks pregnant
Language barriers and communication problem can affect the care of women whose first language is not English. The use of the Health Link Workers, interpreters and the dedicated phone line has improved communication between clients and staff./newimg_005.jpg)
The Link Clinic has reduced the "gap of inequality" described by in the Aitcheson Report (1999) by identifying needs and individually addressing them. Cultural awareness has grown and care is given with sensitivity.
For further information you can contact the Equality and Diversity Lead or Antenatal Specialist Midwife via the Hospital switch Board.
