The Humber and North Yorkshire Local Maternity and Neonatal System (HNY LMNS) proudly hosted a landmark conference, “Belonging and Inclusion in Maternity and Neonatal Care”.
The first-of-its-kind one-day conference, held at the University of Hull, promised to “shine a light on equity, diversity and inclusion in maternity and neonatal services”.
It brought together more than 110 delegates from across the region and beyond.
With an extensive programme of keynote speakers, lived experience panels, creative performances, and interactive breakout sessions, the conference created space for reflection, bold conversations and shared learning.
Delegates examined structural inequalities including poverty, homelessness, teenage pregnancy, barriers faced by migrants, neurodivergence, language barriers and throughout the day identified practical, system-wide actions.
The conference was organised by Mais Ismail, Future Leaders Fellow and Paediatric Registrar and Ricky Hurley, LMNS Workforce and Equity Lead, with support from Humber and North Yorkshire Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP).
Mais said: “We believe that maternity and neonatal care should feel safe, inclusive and compassionate for all – especially for those who continue to face barriers to equitable care.
“This conference was more than an event; it was a milestone. We are so proud to have created a space where lived experience, research, and leadership came together to imagine a more inclusive future for maternity and neonatal care.”
Wendy Olayiwola, National Maternity Lead for Equality at NHS England, added: “I feel so honoured to have been at this conference.
“I found it both impressive and humbling to see how many people came to the conference, from midwives to neonatal colleagues, paediatric teams, VCSE partners, researchers, students and lived experience advocates, all interested in providing equitable care.
“I also found it impressive that about 90 per cent of attendees were white, which shows the allyship.
“Everyone was so keen to learn and were comfortable to have conversations that broke down barriers and helped people to gain understanding around culturally sensitive care and racism.
“I’m so pleased we have started the journey across England. We have recognised that not every woman or birthing person receives culturally sensitive care, and not every woman, birthing person and baby has the same outcome. Now we are all on an improvement journey to ensure that every woman and birthing person, and every baby – regardless of their background, culture, or faith – will have safe care within our services.”
Tracey Cooper MBE, Chief Midwife for NHS England, North East and Yorkshire, said: “I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks to the mothers who shared their experiences of maternity services with us and talked about the things that really need to change.
“We know that nationally, women and birthing people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups have higher rates of maternal mortality and stillbirth, and we need to make this a priority. We need to develop greater trusting relationships and a more meaningful understanding and it’s clear schemes like the Changing and Growing programme can really make a difference to families.”
The conference spotlighted powerful stories from speakers with lived experience, including refugee and neurodivergent parents, and those navigating pregnancy while facing homelessness or systemic barriers.
Creative contributions such as “Seahorse on Land” by Aster Jones and the moving testimony of Amanda Hailes from An Untold Story-Voices Hull added emotional depth and resonance.
Breakout sessions explored topics such as social complexities, interpreting in maternity care, inclusive research, and the intersection of identity, language, and neurodiversity.
Delegates also engaged with the Place of Sanctuary Exhibition and a vibrant Community and Wellbeing Zone, showcasing local VCSE organisations and support services.
Delegate feedback reflected the event’s powerful impact.
One attendee said: “It opened my eyes to barriers I hadn’t even considered. I left with a whole new way of thinking about inclusion in care.”
Another wrote, “I’m walking away with ideas I can take back and apply to my team tomorrow.”
Reflecting on the day, Ricky Hurley, LMNS Workforce and Equality Lead said: “We were delighted to welcome third-year student midwives from the University of Hull to the conference.
“Their presence was incredibly important, not only so they could hear from our senior midwifery leaders about why equity is at the heart of maternity and neonatal care, but also to listen to powerful lived experiences shared by women and birthing people.
“The students shared how much insight they gained from the day and the meaningful impact it will have on their future practice.
“As the next generation of midwives, it’s vital they are part of these conversations around inclusion, equity, and belonging.
“We’re proud to support and involve them in shaping a more inclusive future for maternity and neonatal services.”
Closing the day, Heather McNair, Director of Midwifery for the LMNS in Humber and North Yorkshire said: “Today isn’t the end; it’s the beginning of a bigger, bolder movement for belonging and inclusion in maternity and neonatal care. Let’s carry this energy into our wards, clinics, and boardrooms – and turn insight into lasting change.”