The Maternity Department at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust are the latest NHS organisation to achieve Maternity Service of Sanctuary accreditation.

This award recognises the Trust’s commitment to providing outstanding, compassionate care for women seeking sanctuary.

A key part of this work is the dedicated role of Refugee and Asylum Seeker Specialist Midwife, Emma. Emma’s role in itself is a significant achievement, reflecting the Trust’s long-term commitment to supporting women in vulnerable circumstances. Emma’s role focuses on optimising care, running clinics in initial accommodation hotels, producing translated resources, and working closely with interpreters and Home Office teams to ensure that women remain at the heart of every decision.

Alongside Emma, Maternity Support Worker Fiona has played an instrumental role in improving access to information and resources. She has developed a multilingual padlet to support women in navigating services, and works closely with third sector organisations to ensure essential items, such as baby basics equipment, are available for families in need.

At the Trust, all women who are Black, Asian or ethnic minority are offered a referral to the MAMTA Service – managed by Noreen Bukhari. MAMTA, a third sector organisation commissioned by the local authority, has collaborated with UHCW for over 20 years. Its work focuses on improving access to maternity care, reducing inequalities, and providing vital peer support. Women are signposted to supportive networks both during pregnancy and after birth, helping them to build their lives and communities in Coventry.

The application, put together by Consultant Midwife Louise, highlighted exceptional examples of how the Trust have met the three criteria of Learn, Embed and Share. Together, these efforts demonstrate a deep and sustained commitment to ensuring that maternity services are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming for all.

If you are interested in learning more, please email [email protected].