NCT Watch

BUMPS, BABIES AND BOSSES

The NCT, the UK’s leading parenthood charity is launching a brand new ‘Preparing for Parenthood’ scheme to enable companies and organisations to demonstrate a positive approach to pregnancy.

As part of the scheme, the NCT has developed a range of ‘Preparing for Parenthood’ packs that employers can purchase to give to staff as part of their maternity benefits policy. For the first time ever, employers will now be able to provide expectant employees with information and support on pregnancy and birth.

Studies have shown that employers with the best maternity policies enjoy a return-to-work ratio of over 90 per cent¹,². Becoming a parent can also be stressful, so support from employers can make a real difference in ensuring that parents continue to contribute positively to the organisation.

The ‘Preparing for Parenthood’ packs contain a range of NCT services with three different formats and prices on offer including antenatal classes, full membership or an NCT Information pack with books, magazines, DVDs, leaflets and other essential information on birth and parenthood.

Companies can choose from three different options (minimum order of ten packs):-

· NCT Information pack with books, leaflets DVDs - cost £45
· NCT Information pack with a year’s NCT membership - cost £85
· NCT Information pack with NCT membership and NCT antenatal classes - cost £300

Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive, NCT, said;

“We are extremely pleased to be launching our new Preparing for Parenthood scheme. Our NCT packages will enable employers to show they support their employees through a life-changing experience of becoming a parent. Positive attitudes to parenthood benefit employers and employees alike, through skills retention, improved morale and a more productive workplace.”

Pilots

The NCT charity has piloted the programme with companies Jaguar Land Rover and Ford Europe. Jaguar Land Rover was recently voted first in a survey of corporate maternity policies carried out by the Guardian newspaper. (July 2007)

Jaguar Land Rover is offering staff the NCT Information pack with NCT membership as part of its maternity policy.

Rob Lummis, Group Employees Relations Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said; “The NCT Packs are an important element of our maternity policy and one example of the many family friendly policies we provide to our employers at Jaguar Land Rover. The packs provide our expectant employees with key information that is greatly valued by our parents-to-be.”

Ford Europe is offering staff the NCT Information pack as part of its maternity policy.

Jane Tottingham, Diversity Manager, Ford Europe, said; “The provision of NCT packs is an important element of our total maternity package for employees. The packs provide a single, easy to access source of key information for parents-to-be and are greatly valued by our employees.”

To discuss NCT Preparing for Parenthood packs, or to order a brochure on a range of services, please contact the NCT partnership team at commercial@nct.org.uk

ENDS

References
¹ International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
² EOC Discrimination in Pregnancy Report

Children’s Ministers Ed Balls and Beverley Hughes celebrated the news that Labour’s target for 2,500 Children’s Centres to be open by the start of this month had been exceeded.

Visiting a Sure Start Children’s Centre in Stockwell, south London they revealed that 2,906 Children’s Centres were opened across England by 31 March 2008 - beating the 2,500 target.

Sure Start Children’s Centres are a one-stop shop for families and children under five. They offer easy access to a range of services including early years learning, childcare, family health services, and advice and support for parents.  A recent independent evaluation report found that Sure Start was having a positive impact on the lives of children and families.

Mr. David Amess asked the Secretary of State for Health, on childbirth, what the (a) terms of reference and (b) timetable of the national perinatal epidemiology unit’s programme of reviews are; and if he will make a statement. [198743]

Ann Keen, Minister of State, responded that the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit is conducting the programme of systematic reviews referred to in my previous answer in line with a research proposal that has been peer reviewed and agreed with the Department. The primary aim is to make best use of existing national and international research evidence to identify the key interventions that are most likely to contribute to meeting the 2010 infant mortality target and, in the longer term, to improving maternal and child health and a sustainable reduction in health inequalities. The reviews will also help identify evidence gaps where there is a need for new research.

The work runs until September 2009, and the research team will provide outputs on a staged basis during the life of the project. Review outputs will cover generic public health interventions as well as the major medical causes of infant mortality. The research team has appointed a multi-disciplinary advisory group to support the work.

The Scottish Affairs Committee has reported that MPs are to debate issues relating to child poverty in Scotland on May 1st 2008. The Committee published its report on Child Poverty in Scotland in February. In the report, it welcomed the progress made in reducing child poverty but called for the welfare system to be simplified so that support reaches those families most in need.

The Chairman, Mr Mohammad Sarwar MP, said at the time of report that the cycle of deprivation in Scotland needed to be broken and that urgent action must be taken. He also said: ‘I am pleased that this important issue will be debated by MPs in the Commons. It is vital that child poverty in Scotland remains high on the Westminster agenda and this is an opportunity for all MPs to have their say.’

Ms Chuilin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the provision and support his department is providing for pregnant women who are experiencing (i) mental illness; and (ii) personality disorder.

Mr M McGimpsey replied that “many pregnant women with ongoing mental illness or personality disorders will already be known to services and be receiving care, either at the primary care level or from specialist mental health services. These established care arrangements should continue throughout her pregnancy, and should be provided in co-operation with those delivering her maternity care.

For those women who, during their pregnancy, develop, or exhibit for the first time, a mental health problem, I would expect midwives and obstetricians to recognise that there is a potential mental health issue and that established liaison arrangements should be in place to enable them to quickly contact an appropriate source for advice, support and, where necessary, specialised treatment.”

Uttoxeter Advertiser. Success brings extra day for new nursery: http://www.uttoxeteradvertiser.co.uk/uttoxeteradvertiser-news/displayarticle.asp?id=307458

Daily Telegraph. fathers present at labour: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/14/ndads114.xml

Guardian. Holidays at other people’s homes: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/apr/19/consumeraffairs

BBC News website. Breastfeeding: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7355094.stm

PR Week. Creating Confidence PR campaign:  http://www.prweek.com/uk/sectors/media/article/801860/nct-push-antenatal-classes/

Daily Telegraph. Belinda Phipps interview: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/04/10/cmjprof110.xml

Luxembourg has implemented new legislation on infant and follow-on formula which bans the advertising of all formula milk to the public.   They are the first European country to implement a ban on the advertising of follow-on formula to the public.  The new law was published on 3rd April and calls for companies to comply with the new rules by 31st December 2009, as stated in the EU Directive which instigated the new legislation.

First Minister, Rhodri Morgan has responded to an oral question on the eradication of child poverty in Wales by Christine Chapman. He noted the effect of child poverty on life chances in terms of its impact on the health of children and their educational aspirations. He emphasized the need for good, up-to-date, accurate figures and announced the production of a child poverty and child wellbeing monitor. Publication of the report, which will report on different aspects of child wellbeing including child poverty in Wales, is likely to start in September this year.

The Healthcare Commission has published a new report in which it urges NHS Trusts to learn from patients’ complaints and improve complaints handling, with key proposals including apologizing more often when they do make mistakes. The report shows that complaints about a lack of basic nursing care, poor communications, overly brisk GP consultations and a lack of help for mental health service users are among the key issues patients raise.

The report found that whilst the overwhelming majority of patients are happy with the care and treatment they receive, trusts still have some way to go before they are effectively resolving the complaints they do receive, and learning from the issues their patients raise.

Concerns raised regarding maternity services included staff not listening when women expressed their needs, being left alone in labour without pain relief, poor attitudes and midwives being too busy.