Category > MatNeo

Three stylised continuous line drawings. One shows two healthcare professionals talking and looking at notes together. They both wear white coats and the woman wears a hijab. Another image shows the same female on a computer screen, which is beside a pile of text books - giving the impression of online learning. The final image is of two hands fitting a purple and green jigsaw piece together.

Why safety culture needs more than policies

Blog article

In this new blog post, Gill Travers reflects on how integrating the MOMENTS framework into the Midwifery programme at the University of the West of England (UWE) is encouraging students to reimagine safety culture. Moments that matter: embedding the MOMENTS Framework into midwifery education at UWE In the heart of the UWE’s Year 2 Pre-Registration…

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Mother wearing hijab using mobile phone while breastfeeding baby.

Evaluation highlights potential of digital breastfeeding support tool in NHS pilot

News

A recent real-world evaluation with NHS teams in Gloucestershire has found an app developed in the West Country is a promising digital tool for providing breastfeeding support. Despite evidence that breastfeeding benefits both babies and their mothers, the rates of breastfeeding in western countries like the UK have been low. Smartphone apps are increasingly being…

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Breaking down barriers for safer systems: a day of inspiration, innovation and insight

Blog article

In this blog, Jenn Garner and Ann Remmers report on our recent regional learning event, bringing together maternity and neonatal colleagues from across the region. On Wednesday 30 April, we were delighted to welcome colleagues from trusts across the West of England to the regional learning event for our Maternity and Neonatal Safety Improvement Programmes…

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Evaluation shows Black Maternity Matters is increasing the knowledge, skills and confidence of maternity and neonatal staff

News

An evaluation of the second training cohort of Black Maternity Matters demonstrates the programme has successfully helped maternity and neonatal staff in the West of England to increase their knowledge, skills and confidence in both understanding the impacts of racism and how it penetrates healthcare institutions. Black women in the UK remain more likely to…

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New research reinforces impact of cerebral palsy prevention programme PReCePT

News

Evidence for the impact of our programme to increase the use of magnesium sulphate, a £5 injection that helps prevent cerebral palsy in premature babies, has been strengthened by a new study published in BMJ Quality and Safety. The use of magnesium sulphate to prevent cerebral palsy has been recommended by NICE since 2015. Although…

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“Deeply affirming” – Black Maternity Matters collaborative celebrates winning national award

News

Members of the Black Maternity Matters collaborative are celebrating after scooping the award for ‘Community Project Impact’ at the prestigious Black Maternal Health Awards UK 2025. Held in London on Saturday 22 March to celebrate excellence across maternal healthcare, The Black Maternal Health Awards were hosted by The Motherhood Group. Black women in the UK remain…

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PreCiSSIon shortlisted for an HSJ Digital Award

News

Our PreCiSSIon (Preventing Caesarean Birth Surgical Site Infection across a region) project has been shortlisted in the category of ‘Driving Change through Data and Analytics’ in the HSJ Digital Awards 2025 for our work with Cemplicity and the maternity units across the West of England to reduce the impact of surgical site infections (SSI) following caesarean birth. This year marks…

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Black Maternity Matters shortlisted for national award

News

The Black Maternity Matters collaborative has made it to the finals of the prestigious Black Maternal Health Awards UK. We’ve been shortlisted in the Community Project category, which celebrates initiatives creating measurable change in maternal health outcomes at a local level. The Black Maternal Health Awards UK, spearheaded by The Motherhood Group, celebrate excellence across…

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White mother and newborn. Child birth in maternity hospital.

Innovating maternity care: assessing a new solution to improve recovery after childbirth

News

Health Innovation West of England has launched an exciting real-world evaluation with Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH) NHS Foundation Trust to test a groundbreaking device, designed to improve recovery for women and birthing people after childbirth. The focus of the trial is the ‘Hegenberger Retractor’, an innovative tool that supports obstetricians in repairing third- and…

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Black Maternity Matters celebration and graduation event

News

We were excited to welcome colleagues from across the West of England and beyond to a glorious gathering at the Trinity Centre in Bristol on 21 November. The party was a chance to come together and thank everyone who has played a part in our Black Maternity Matters journey to date, and in particular to…

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