Equity and Equality
Our plan on a page
Following publication of our Equity and Equality Analysis which took place in November 2021, the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) has published its Action Plan to tackle health inequality in our region.
The Action Plan in particular focuses on women and families from Black, Asian and Mixed ethnic groups and those living in deprivation. Evidence demonstrates that women and their babies from Black, Asian and Mixed ethnic group and those living in deprivation have worse outcomes than the rest of the population. There is also a focus on staff from Black, Asian and Mixed ethnic groups.
At the LMNS for the North East and North Cumbria, we are committed to working with our partners from across the health, care and voluntary sector to support women and their families and improve outcomes for those who are most disadvantaged. This report sets out the key actions we will be supporting with our partners to improve health inequality and make our region the safest place to be pregnant, give birth and start parenthood.
David Purdue, Executive Chief Nurse for NHS North East and North Cumbria – Integrated Care Board and Senior Responsible Officer for the LMNS said:
We are absolutely committed to making sure that everyone has an equitable and just opportunity to be healthy. In maternity this means that “all mothers and babies in the North East and North Cumbria will achieve health outcomes that are as good as the groups with the best health outcomes.”
We are working in partnership with local women and their families, health partners and community groups to respond to each person’s unique health and social situation, with increasing support as health inequalities increase – so that care is safe and personal for all.
This Equity and Equality Action Plan builds on the North East and North Cumbria Equity and Equality Analysis which was completed in November 2021. Both the Analysis and this Plan aim to improve maternity and neonatal care by ensuring equity for mothers and babies from Black, Asian and Mixed ethnic groups and those living in the most deprived areas, and also improving race equality for staff.