Disabled women’s experiences of maternity care at Barnsley Hospital are set to be improved following a new campaign led by local MP Marie Tidball.
The initiative follows research showing that disabled women in the UK face significantly higher risks during pregnancy and birth, including increased likelihood of stillbirth, longer hospital stays, and lower rates of breastfeeding. Many also report barriers such as inaccessible facilities, difficulties accessing information, and inconsistent care.
Marie, who represents Penistone and Stocksbridge, recently visited Barnsley Hospital’s maternity ward to meet with senior midwives, patient engagement staff, and representatives from professional bodies. Discussions focused on identifying and removing accessibility barriers, sharing examples of inclusive practice, and enhancing staff training to better meet the needs of disabled mothers.
During the visit, Marie toured the maternity ward to assess both physical access and service delivery, highlighting where improvements could be made and where good practice was already in place.
Speaking after the visit, she said there was strong local support for her campaign and a clear commitment from Barnsley Hospital to lead the way in creating a safer, more inclusive maternity service for disabled women.
The campaign aims to make Barnsley Hospital a national example of best practice, with the long-term goal of influencing wider NHS policy and improving maternity care standards across the country.
