The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has produced ‘Caring for vulnerable migrant women’ which is a pocket guide for midwives and maternity support workers.
The guide covers the following topics and combines vital information with case studies:
Duty of care by health staff
Particular needs of vulnerable migrant women
Priorities of initial assessment
Mental health
Financial support for migrant women and children
Violence, exploitation, choices and consent
FGM
Women who decline services
Women who may suddenly relocate or avoid accessing services
Scenarios and suggestions
Facts and fiction
Legal position
Links, resources and support organisations
RCM have outlined the need for the guide in an article which highlights the barriers pregnant migrant women face when accessing healthcare.
A related report by Maternity Action on migrant charging, entitled ‘Breach of Trust - A review of implementation of the NHS charging programme in maternity services in England’ calls for the immediate suspension of charging for NHS maternity care given the deterrent effect on women’s access to care.
Both the RCM guide and the Maternity Action report are available below:
