The Maternity Care Working Party (MCWP)

The Maternity Care Working Party acts as an expert advisory body to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity.

Background

The Maternity Care Working Party was set up in 1999 with a brief to raise awareness of the public health implications of caesarean section rates and campaign to lower the caesarean rate. At a MCWP meeting on 10 May 2001, there took place a discussion about the future direction of the Group. A Purpose Statement was drawn up and agreed at that meeting.

Purpose

The Maternity Care Working Party is an independent, multi-disciplinary body that campaigns for improvements in maternity care. It was formed to raise awareness of the public health implications of the rising caesarean rate and highlights the health and social needs of women and their families and the contribution that woman-centred maternity services can make to the promotion of public health.

Funding

All participating organisations support the travel and subsistence costs of their representative attending meetings. Costs for projects, special events etc. to be met by participating groups in cash or kind, or by sponsorship from outside organisations.

Chair

Gail Werkmeister, President of the National Childbirth Trust

Membership

Membership of the Group is open to non-commercial organisations and individuals with an interest in maternity care. The membership is fluid, but representatives of the following organisations are currently involved: RCM, RCOG, RCGP, NCT, RCN, ARM, AIMS, ACBMC, ACHCEW, Baby Lifeline, Blooming Awful, FSID, IMA, Birth Crisis Network, London Health Link, National Baby Network, NPEU, NHS Confederation, NMC, NSPCC, IHM.

Secretariat

NCT