An American support scheme for new mothers is being introduced into Burton and East Staffordshire as part of the fight to reduce infant mortality rates in the borough.

The widely acclaimed US Nurse Family Partnership will be available in East Staffordshire by the end of the year. East Staffordshire Borough Council – in partnership with Derby City PCT, the Department of Health and South Staffordshire’s PCT – is working to develop the scheme in a response to the Borough’s high rate of infant mortality.

The Council will invest £120,000 over the next three years to fund the new scheme.

The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) – as it is known in the UK – provides intensive support for first time mothers during pregnancy and for the first two years of the child’s life, helping mothers with such aspects as healthy eating, relationships with the father and wider family, and financial planning.

Council Leader Richard Grosvenor said: “This programme has proven to be a success where it has been implemented in the USA and we are positive that the same techniques and guidance can be applied in East Staffordshire to the same effect.”

Andy O’Brien, Chief Executive at East Staffordshire Borough Council said “There has already been a marked improvement in the borough’s infant mortality rates but they are still too high.

“The Council, PCT and other partners have already introduced a raft of new initiatives designed to bring the rate down, including the housing standard cards for midwives and health visitors, and we believe this new scheme will go a long way to bringing these figures down even further.“

The scheme is to be delivered in East Staffordshire by Derby City PCT who have had the FNP scheme in place since 2007, and who have helped hundreds of young mothers make the right choices for themselves and their unborn children.

Chris Tully, Project Lead for FNP in Derby, said: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with ESBC so that we can utilise the skills of the Family Nurses to work with young parents to improve the outcomes for young children.”

Dr Suzanne Jones, Consultant in Public Health at South Staffordshire PCT said: “This is a welcome initiative that will be delivered by specially trained nurses working with families in the area to improve the health, well being and self sufficiency of young first time parents and their children.”

Evidence from 30 years of the US scheme has shown its effectiveness including:

• Improvements in women’s antenatal health

• Reduction of injuries to the child

• Fewer subsequent pregnancies

• Greater time between each pregnancy

• Increased involvement from the father • Increased employment

• Reduced welfare support

• Improved readiness for school in the child

• Reduced likelihood of the child being involved in crime or substance misuse in later life.

Early UK results have been equally positive showing:

• Increased father participation

• Reduce smoking during pregnancy

• Increased rates of breast feeding

• Increased confidence in the mother and her abilities to be a mother

• Better health outcomes for mother and child

Tweet

Follow InBurton on Twitter for all the latest Burton What’s On updates
Follow @BurtonOnTrent