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Article: Best evidence for best maternal health? The conundrum of maternity service policy for postnatal care. Postnatal care is one of the most important aspects of maternity care yet, in the past it has suffered from a lack of attention and resources. Professor Debra Bick from King's College, London discusses recent policy developments in this area.(Postnatal care)
- Article from:
- Royal College of Midwives Journal
- Article date:
- October 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Royal College of Midwives. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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For the past 16 years I have had the privilege of being involved with an area of research that is potentially one of the most important aspects of care for women and their babies--the postnatal period. Given the contribution postnatal care could make at a micro level for individual women and their families and at a macro level for public health, recent policy publications are encouraging for postnatal care (Department of Health, 2004; RCOG, 2008). The NHS Next Stage Review, High quality care for all final report (Department of Health, 2008) should also inform revisions to enhance the quality and outcomes of maternity care. Although these are positive developments, there ...