Hi-tech help for migrant mums-to-be at hospital

Director of public health Dr Allison Duggal said a set would explain how to get to University Hospital in Coventry

Virtual reality headsets could soon be used to help migrant mums-to-be in Coventry.

Director of public health Dr Allison Duggal said some women from migrant backgrounds may lack the language support needed and might come with their own cultural views around pregnancy.

"We are looking to assist with that and help with some of the signposting. We are looking to explain why things are done a particular way in this country and assist if people need additional help," she said.

Infant mortality rates in Coventry were higher compared to England with 5.7 deaths per 1,000, compared to 3.9 per 1,000, according to the city council.

Council figures also show 51.4% of births in the city were to mothers born outside the UK in 2023 compared to the England average of 32.7%.

There was a specialist midwife to help, the director of public health said.

'Really successful'

The 2023 report compiled by Healthwatch Coventry and city charity Carriers of Hope captured the maternity experiences of asylum seekers and newly-arrived women.

This highlighted challenges in navigating the system, accessing care including financial barriers, communication problems, poor experiences due to clinician attitudes and lack of culturally sensitive care.

Policy development manager (migration), public health Inderjit Kaur said there was a VR suite "at the library and it was a case of how we could use that [to] help some of the newly arrived communities understand how they can understand services".

She said something tailored around how to access the hospital was created and there was a focus group with refugees and asylum seekers.

"A pilot was developed and it was really successful.

"The NHS want to expand it into maternity services and we are piloting it in community centres and health hubs to understand what we can feed into the maternity services virtual reality experience."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.