Family Nurse Partnership
Young, first-time mothers can now receive extra support throughout their pregnancy and up until their child reaches two years of age.
Through the Family Nurse Partnership, specially trained nurses visit teenage mothers in their own homes to them to adopt healthier lifestyles, provide good care for their babies and plan their futures. This could include offering support to give up smoking or setting goals around finishing education or taking up a new course.
Kate McCluskey, Family Nurse Supervisor for NHS Coventry, said: “Our work is to complement the work of health visitors by providing more intensive support for those who need more help to care well for their children and themselves.”
A Department of Health study of the pilot scheme suggested that parents receiving support:
• Reduce smoking in pregnancy and are more likely to breastfeed
• Have aspirations for the future and take up employment and education opportunities
• Are more confident as parents and are learning how to care well for their babies.
To find out more about Family Nurse Partnerships in Coventry, contact kate.mccluskey@coventrypct.nhs.uk
- Department of Health
The Government body that is responsible for delivering the highest quality of health and social care within England.