The Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate (also referred to as Maternity and Neonatal ISA or MNISA) is a new senior role being piloted to support women and families in England.

Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocates help ensure the voices of women, birthing people and families are listened to, heard and acted upon by their maternity and neonatal care providers when they have experienced an adverse outcome during their maternity and/or neonatal care.

This senior role was co-produced by NHS England working alongside maternity and neonatal service users and staff. In the South West there are four Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocates covering Gloucestershire; Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire; Somerset and Devon.

Families can access the services of the Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate according to the area in which the organisation that provided their maternity or neonatal care is based, irrelevant of their home address. Wherever possible where a family have received care from another provider, for example as a result of a transfer of care, the MN ISA will continue to support women, birthing people and families within the pilot, even if that area is not active within the pilot.

For more information on the Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocacy Service in your area, the referral criteria and to access the referral form please visit the relevant webpage or contact your local Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate.