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To: Sandwell Local Authority
Save Sandwell Family Nurse Partnership
Sandwell Cabinet members are meeting in the near future week to discuss the proposed decommissioning of the Family Nurse Partnership. We would like them to consider the impact that this will have on the young mothers and families we work with, and to consider "their" voice in their decision to stop this service. The decision to stop the Family Nurse Partnership will leave gaps in service and will have a direct impact on services within health and social care across Sandwell. This will have a negative impact on the the communities within Sandwell and Society as a whole, with less support for young mothers and their children. Cabinet need to consider the full implications of the decommissioning of the Family Nurse Partnership and not look at the cost here and now. Tackling Public Health often takes time and looking at long term goals of the Family Nurse Programme will benefit communities across Sandwell, rather than cutting services with no similair provision to support young people to the same intensity.
Why is this important?
The Family Nurse Partnership works with pregnant mothers across Sandwell District aged between 14 and 19 years of age. The Family Nurse supports and promotes a healthy pregnancy, working with families throughout pregnancy, supporting managing labour and helping to improve babies and toddlers development until the age of two years. We also help young mothers future aspirations and support them to develop positive relationships with their child. There is proven evidence to suggest that the mums and dads who take part in the family nurse programme are more likely to achieve what they want for themselves and their children, including maternal self sufficiency. Recent evidence suggests that the Family Nurse Partnership appears to improve early childhood development and can protect children from early identification of safeguarding issues. If the Family Nurse Partnership is decommissioned there will be a gap in service provision and young people and their children will be disadvantaged further.
