Northern Trust’s maternity service becomes more autism friendly

The Northern Trust’s maternity team has strengthened the support it provides to autistic women to make services more accessible and improve the overall experience.

Deputy Head of Midwifery, Helen Weir, said: “We know that women with neurodiversity often face distinct challenges throughout the perinatal period, which can greatly influence their experiences in relation to pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

“As a team we are committed to providing personalised, inclusive maternity for all and recognised that we could do more to reduce the challenges that can be faced by autistic women and neurodivergent families in our care.

“With this in mind, we worked with colleagues in the Trust, as well as specialist charities to identify and implement improvements. We looked at everything from the way we provide information, to the practicalities of attending appointments, to the physical environment of our wards and birthing suites.

“This enabled us to strengthen the support we provide and enhance the accessibility of our services.

“We want everyone who uses our services to feel understood, safe and supported during pregnancy and birth. If you’re currently using our services and would like to avail of this support or request adjustments, then please speak to your midwife.”

The work that the team has undertaken in this area has been recognised through a number of awards, including achieving the Autism NI Impact Award – making them the first Maternity Service team in Northern Ireland to obtain the autism friendly accreditation. Most recently, the team has been shortlisted for a UK-wide Royal College of Midwives award.

The Northern Trust now provides the following support:

Specially trained staff
Our teams now include specially trained staff who understand sensory needs, communication preferences, and how to make appointments more accessible.

JAM (Just a Minute) communication aid
The JAM Card and JAM App is a free, easy and discreet way to let others know that someone needs ‘Just A Minute’ of patience and support. Our staff have been trained to recognise this visual sign and will provide the necessary time and support to the individual.

Easy-read documentation
To help make information clearer and reduce anxiety, we now offer appointment letters and patient leaflets in easy read format. These can be requested from maternity reception staff or a midwife.

Sensory friendly equipment
We recognise that maternity settings can sometimes be overwhelming. To support sensory regulation, we can provide ear defenders, weighted blankets, quiet spaces, fidget toys and can dim the lighting.

Adapted appointments
We know that appointments can sometimes cause anxiety and can make adjustments, including allocating a longer appointment slot, offering the first or last appointment of the day. We also offer pre-appointment virtual tours or 1-2-1 guided tours to help provide reassurance and reduce stress.