Epsom and St Helier Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership

23/07/2026

We don’t just collect feedback, we act on it. Your voice makes real change

21/07/2026

💜 YOU SAID, WE DID 💜

During one of our recent feedback and engagement sessions, women told us that it would be helpful to have more holistic pain relief options available whilst having an induction of labour.

Thanks to some remaining funding from the last financial year, the MNVP has been able to donate 1,000 birthing combs to Epsom Hospital and 1,000 to St Helier Hospital.

Birthing combs are a simple comfort measure that many people find helpful during labour. By squeezing the comb during contractions, the pressure on your palm uses acupressure and the gate control theory of pain to help reduce the perception of pain, encourage the release of endorphins and provide a grounding focus throughout labour.

You’ll now find them available on: Antenatal / Induction Bay, Birth Centre and Labour Ward. If you’d like to use one during your labour, simply ask your midwife 😊

Your feedback really does make a difference and we’re always grateful to everyone who shares their experiences to help improve local maternity services.

Epsom and St Helier Maternity Units

10/07/2026

We want to reassure families that our Maternity & Neonatal services remain safe and open as usual for the foreseeable future.

St Helier Maternity & Neonatal services are reviewing planned estates works for 2027.

If you are booked for care, your care will not be interrupted.

If you are considering booking at St. Helier for pregnancy and birth care, we continue to welcome you to our CQC Good rated service.

Epsom and St Helier Maternity Units

09/07/2026

Join us for our next event at Rascals Softplay Epsom on 14th July! Sign up via link, everyone welcome 💜 https://esthmnvp.typeform.com/to/jMXrua38

07/07/2026

01/07/2026

Unfortunately, from today the Epsom & St Helier MNVP will have to pause work. This is due to some internal issues with our remuneration meaning we have no option but to pause work.

Please keep filling in the feedback forms as they will be read and help to improve services.

We really hope to have this resolved soon so we can get back to our important work.

Sophie, Bernadette and Christina 💜

26/06/2026

We are aware that many women and their families may have seen recent reports regarding the planned temporary relocation of women’s health services at St Helier Hospital E Block due to essential work required on the building’s water system.

We appreciate that hearing words such as “Legionella” can understandably cause concern. However, we want to reassure our community that maternity and women’s health services remain open and safe to use.

The Trust has confirmed that robust safety measures have been in place for some time, including regular water testing, specialist filtration and ongoing monitoring. Importantly, there have been no clinical infections linked to the water system, and care continues to be provided safely. Planned works are expected to begin in Spring 2027, allowing time for careful planning and communication with families.

As your MNVP our priority is to represent the voices of women, birthing people and families throughout this process. We have already submitted a comprehensive list of questions to the Trust, covering not only water safety but also continuity of care, access to midwifery led services, birth choices, travel, equity of access and communication. We will continue to seek reassurance that any decisions made place the needs of local families at the centre.

We know that Serenity Birth Centre is highly valued by our community. Recent feedback from service users, alongside the latest CQC inspection, reflects the compassionate, informative, empowering and high quality care provided by the maternity team. We will continue to advocate for maintaining access to excellent local maternity care and for minimising disruption wherever possible.

If you are currently receiving care at St Helier, there is no change to your maternity care at this time. If plans develop, the Trust has committed to communicating directly with those affected well in advance.

If you have questions or concerns, please do get in touch with the MNVP. We will continue to listen, ask questions on your behalf and share updates as more information becomes available.

Link to the hospital trust’s statement: https://www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/temporary-relocation-of-st-helier-hospitals-womens-health-services/

Kind regards,
Sophie, Bernadette and Christina

21/06/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all Dads today 💙

15/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to our softplay event at Rascals Softplay Epsom today. These events have been a great success so far, we really appreciate all the in-depth feedback.