What is a Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate?
The Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate (also referred to as Maternity and Neonatal ISA or MNISA) was a new senior role being piloted to support women and families in England. This followed the immediate and essential actions identified in the Ockenden review into maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital.
This role was developed by NHS England working alongside people who have experienced adverse outcomes and NHS staff.
The advocate was separate from the hospitals that provided the care and this means that people could be supported to raise challenges about their care in a way that is independent of hospital-based structures and procedures.
Maternity and Neonatal Independant Senior Advocates helped to ensure the voices of women and families were listened to, heard and acted upon by their maternity and neonatal care providers when they experienced an adverse outcome during their maternity and/or neonatal care.