Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocates (Maternity and Neonatal ISA) help ensure the voices of women and families are listened to, heard and acted upon by their maternity and neonatal care providers when they have experienced an adverse outcome during their maternity and/or neonatal care.
Rhona Mulvihill has been appointed as the Maternity and Neonatal ISA for West Yorkshire & Harrogate. She will support people and communities in Bradford District and Craven, Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield District in the area covered by the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Local Maternity and Neonatal System and the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (WY ICB). We are one of 21 ICBs taking part in the pilot and officially launched the role in May 2024. Read the Maternity and Neonatal ISA media release here.
A Maternity and Neonatal ISA webpage and online flyer is available for people and staff to find out more about this new senior role that has been introduced to support women, birthing people and families in England if they have experienced an adverse outcome during their maternity or neonatal care. Rhona can support and advocate for them and will help ensure they are listened to, heard and acted upon by your care providers. Her role is independent so families can be confident that she will be fair and impartial.
Rhona Mulvihill, Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate for West Yorkshire and Harrogate said: “I am always sorry to hear when people and families have had a distressing experience during their maternity or neonatal care. I also understand how hard it is to share those experiences. However, I am here to support and advocate for local people and families that have experienced an adverse outcome across West Yorkshire and Harrogate. For those that choose to work with me I will do all I can to ensure you are listened to, heard and acted upon by care providers. You can self-refer or ask a member of staff from your hospital trust, your GP or any health and care professional to refer you. This service is free - there is no charge for any support given.”
You can contact Rhona by email, phone or completing the online referral form. Find details on the website here.
