The maternity strategy for Leeds was developed based on extensive consultation with women and families in Leeds, using a detailed health needs assessment and the latest and best evidence of what works well in maternity services. The strategy outlines nine priorities which aim to improve maternity services by providing safe, high quality maternity care, meeting the needs of all families in the city.

As part of the targeted support project work, we are focusing on improving the bereavement care pathway. The engagement is building on ongoing improvement work which has been delivered in partnership with service users. A workshop took place in January for both professionals and service users using the “whose shoes” tool to look at bereavement care across the pathway and identifying further improvements to be made.

The workshop was an opportunity to find out about people’s experiences of the bereavement pathway and provided a safe space for people to share their stories and have conversations. Some of the themes emerging from the workshop included:

• Choice
• People Cope Differently
• Don’t Forget About Dad
• We Don’t Want to Re-tell Our Story
• Sibling Support Is Important
• Staff Need Support Too

Read the full “Whose shoes” workshop report here.

In addition to the workshop, there is also a bereavement survey which is currently live for people to complete and feedback their experiences of the bereavement pathway. Please visit the NHS Parent Feedback Questionnaire if you would like to complete this survey.