Maternity Service Liaison Committee (MSLC)
Have your say on maternity services
Help shape and improve your local maternity services by joining the North Hampshire Maternity Services Liaison Committee (MSLC).
What is the Maternity Services Liaison Committee?
The North Hampshire MSLC aims to ensure that the views of local parents are taken into account in respect of all aspects of maternity services, including:
- Antenatal care - from check-ups with the midwife in the community to scans at the hospital.
- Quality of care during labour and delivery - whether at home, in a birth centre or hospital.
- Post-natal support given to new parents and their babies by doctors, midwives and health visitors.
MSLC members include parents to be, mums, dads, grandparents, NHS midwives and doctors from across the north Hampshire region, health visitors, independent midwives and members of local community groups that provide services and support to new parents and their babies.
The MSLC is one of the main ways that our healthcare professionals get to hear the real views and experiences of parents using our maternity services.
Which area is covered by North Hampshire MSLC?
The area covered by this MSLC runs from Andover in the west to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital in the centre and to the towns of Alton and Bordon in the east. West Hampshire MSLC covers Winchester, Eastleigh and The New Forest.
Why should I get involved?
The opinions and real experiences of our parent members are essential to help shape and improve the maternity services local mums and dads want. As a member of the MSLC you can really get involved. Your views are invaluable to give maternity professionals a service user’s perspective. In addition, a very important part of our work is that we find out what parents from all walks of life need to make their experience of our maternity services a good one.
MSLC meetings are held locally every couple of months and are informal and friendly, so most parent members find it easy to express their opinions. We discuss a large variety of matters ranging from practical details to policy issues. Some of our recent topics have included:
- A project to look at the level of interest from local parents in developing a birth centre at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
- A ‘mystery shopper’ phone exercise looking at early access to maternity services to see what GP surgeries offer newly pregnant women across north Hampshire.
- A request from NHS Hampshire to respond to a public consultation on access for parents to IVF treatment.
- Input on design and content of Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital website
As a result of the meetings, our MSLC members use their strengths to work on specific maternity projects, respond to maternity surveys and find out the views of other parents and parents to be on issues which could be raised at MSLC meetings.
What information do I receive?
- Our MSLC welcome pack
- Free training. Training and study days are available (such as MSLC ‘Voices’ training by the National Childbirth Trust) which provides you with the skill to get the best from your membership of the MSLC.
- A visit to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital's maternity department.
- Support from fellow MSLC members and regular updates on the progress of MSLC initiatives.
- Claim forms for any out of pocket expenses, including travel and childcare costs.
How can I attend if I have young children?
Babies are most welcome at our events and meetings! Crèche facilities are usually available for pre-school children at our meeting venues by prior arrangement.
Will it cost me anything to attend?
All your reasonable expenses, such as travel and childcare costs, will be repaid for attendance at MSLC events and meetings, or where you are involved in MSLC activities. Childcare costs are reimbursed regardless of whether you use registered childcare or a family member or friend to care for your children.
Who do I contact?
Mindy Noble (Chair of North Hampshire MSLC) at northhantsmslc@live.co.uk or 0773 345 6671
