Two new service user reps appointed

The Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) is delighted to appoint two new service user reps.

Naz Wilson and Rae Lowe went through an open, competitive process following a recruitment campaign in the summer. They will be sitting on the LMNS Board and providing service user expertise as we co-produce and involve them in our decision-making processes.

Naz Wilson lives in Darlington, she said: “Both my children were born at Darlington Memorial Hospital. I’m an experienced academic and researcher with a keen interest in supporting the continuous improvement of maternity and neonatal services across the North East and North Cumbria. Maternity and neonatal care are such an important time in a person’s life, and a time that can be both incredibly happy and challenging.

With my first child we experienced NICU care for three weeks, and I had my second child through a C-section alone during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. These experiences have made me more determined to champion other peoples’ experiences, and crucially help improve maternity care for the next person giving birth. I do this through working closely with colleagues in the North East and North Cumbria Maternity Services and our Maternity Voices Partnerships to bring the Service User Voice to the forefront of NHS services for birthing people and their families.

Rae Lowe lives on the Northumberland coast with her four boys and husband, she said:

I have almost 15 years’ experience of working within the maternity world, predominantly directly with service users.  I have lived experience of being pregnant and giving birth to four children in very differing circumstances, as well as lived experience of NICU stays. I am a qualified breastfeeding counsellor and Chair of her local Maternity Voices Partnership and have worked on national maternity projects including the launch of the Independent Senior Advocate role following the Ockenden report.

“I am passionate about informed consent and ensuring all those using maternity services are supported to make personalised informed choices, and I am looking forward to driving this forward as part of this role.

Rae and Naz join Sandra Guise so the LMNS now has three service user voice representatives on its Board.