UHNM maternity bus offers vital early access to antenatal care, screening and vaccines in Stoke-on-Trent

Rachael Heaven, community midwife and Elaine Hinson, maternity vaccinator

Pregnant women across Stoke-on-Trent are being urged to access vital pregnancy screening, advice and vaccinations through University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust’s (UHNM) maternity bus bringing services directly into local communities.

The Maternity and Community Screening Initiative (MACSI) bus aims to make it easier for expectant mothers and their families to access maternity support closer to home without needing to travel to hospital.

The drop-in service offers advice and education on pregnancy, screening and vaccinations, with midwives and specialist teams on hand to answer questions and provide support. 

The initiative is designed to reach communities who may find it harder to access traditional services, including those who face barriers such as transport, language or awareness of available support.

There is no need to book an appointment and anyone can drop in while the bus is visiting their local area.

Rachael Heaven, community midwife, said: “We know that some people in our communities can find it harder to access maternity services, whether that’s due to transport, language barriers or simply not knowing what support is available.

“We thought instead of bringing people to us, we would come to them. By being visible in places people already visit, women can hop onto the bus, get advice about pregnancy, have a vaccination, collect vitamins or simply have a friendly chat about their pregnancy and what to expect.”

Staff on board the MACSI bus can provide advice on pregnancy, screening and healthy lifestyles, as well as information on why it is important for women to access maternity services early in pregnancy. The team can also provide vitamins, advice on healthy eating and safe sleeping and support with screening tests.

Vaccinations are also available during pregnancy to help protect both mother and baby.

Elaine Hinson, maternity vaccinator at UHNM, said: “There are three key vaccines we offer during pregnancy. The flu vaccine helps protect mums from catching flu, which can cause complications during pregnancy. The whooping cough and RSV vaccines help protect babies after they’re born, as antibodies are passed from mum to baby during pregnancy.”

One mum-to-be to benefit from the service was Anse Hussain who is expecting her first baby.

The 28-year-old from Cobridge, said: “It’s really easy and convenient because it’s local. It’s a lot easier for me to come here than travelling to Royal Stoke.

“Once you know when the bus is here you can plan around it, and for anyone who lives nearby it’s really helpful. I’d definitely recommend people come along if they see it.”

The bus currently visits several locations across the city each week:

  • Tuesdays: Asha North Staffordshire, Unit 7, Hanley Business Park, Cooper Street, ST1 4DW
    (9.30am–12.30pm) and Hanley Town Centre (12.30pm–4pm)
  • Wednesdays: Asda Tunstall, Scotia Road, Tunstall, ST6 6AT (9.30am-4.30pm)
  • Thursdays: Opposite Meir Primary Care Centre, Weston Road, Meir, ST3 6AB (9.30am-4.30pm)