Campaigning | Janice Silvester-Hal

Ensuring a meaningful consultation on the future of the Freestanding Midwife-led Birthing Unit (FMBU)

An update from Janice...

Following the Integrated Care Board's (ICB) announcement proposing to permanently close the Birthing Unit at Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, I was relieved to finally hear recently that the decision to consult the community of Lichfield District was approved at the ICB's meeting on 20th March 2025. To be clear, the proposal is to permanently close the FMBU whilst the ante and post natal services are to remain.

The ICB papers can be seen in detail by clicking the graphic below or copy and paste from here; https://staffsstoke.icb.nhs.uk/your-nhs-integrated-care-board/our-publications/board-papers/2025/march-2025/icb-board-papers-20-march-2025/?layout=file

For many months now, I have been calling for this meaningful consultation to take place, and have also been supporting the development of a meaningful consultation, likely to include accessible surveys as well as local drop in events, one in the daytime and a second in the evening.

Since the consultation was confirmed, some residents have mentioned to me that they are eagerly waiting to provide their feedback and have taken to emailing already.

It is crucial that as many people as possible pass on their feedback to the official consultation when it opens, I am anticipating this is around 12 May 2025. I have also made sure that community groups whom I have already been in touch with over the past months are on the list of stakeholders the ICB will engage with. If you want to be on that list, please email janicesilveterh@gmail.com

I too will be adding my feedback to the official consultation, fundamentally, following the publication of the Women's Health Strategy for England 2022, (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/womens-health-strategy-for-england), we should be giving women MORE choice, not less. I will be continuing my detailed and specific arguments to support keeping and even extending the services of the FMBU in the forthcoming consultation.

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Endometriosis report published with recommendations to improve treatment for Staffordshire women

Following the publication of the Women's Health Strategy, a working group was formed at Staffordshire County Council (SCC), to explore what this means for the women of Staffordshire.

This led to the report on Endometriosis being published October 2024 and a raft of recommendations being published involving key partners both in and outside of Staffordshire County Council.

Updates on the development of the recommendations have been initially received and will continue to be monitored through the Health & Care Committee at SCC.

Details of the report can be found here https://staffordshire.moderngov.co.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=193681 or click the image below.

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Recognising the key role of Staffordshire's women from the past...

In addition to the business as usual work as a County Councillor, Janice has been bringing recognition and appreciation of Staffordshire women from yester-year.

Covering politics, farming, nursing and teaching amongst other themes, visitors to County Buildings in Stafford now see a rich display of images of notable Staffordshire women with explanations of their invaluable contributions to our communities.

Of particular importance to Janice, representing a County division in Lichfield, is seeing the photograph of Daisy Stuart Shaw. In November 1919, Daisy Stuart Shaw made history becoming the first female councillor in Lichfield City.