12. Reflections: One Year On & Unconscious Bias: Time for Action - with Lola Ornato

Episode 12 of Series 3 of the Maternity and Midwifery Hour This session will be the last in Series 3, we look forward to welcoming you back for series 4 in April.   Part 1 - Reflections: A Year On  It has been a year since the Covid-19 lockdown was commenced and Maternity and midwifery Hour participants will know that the MM Hour was designed in response to the lockdown to support midwives, student midwives and those in the maternity services, in the UK, to provide information, and continuing professional development through the pandemic. Sue will reflect on the highlights and on some of what we have learned over these hours.   Part 2 - Unconscious Bias: Time to challenge - time for action  The Covid-19 pandemic has identified and exacerbated inequalities in our society, and within the organisations in that society. The findings of reports such as MBRRACE indicating the huge differences in mortality for women of colour and white women, indicate that this needs to be addressed urgently within the maternity services. The major theme of systemic and personal racism and bias are being discussed with the aim of confronting both, and improving the outcomes and experience of women, babies and their families, and of midwives and maternity service workers also. In this session, Lola will raise the issues faced by black and brown women and their families, as well as for midwives and those working in the NHS.   Hosted by: Sue Macdonald, Curator, Maternity & Midwifery Festivals; Co-editor, Mayes Midwifery   Live contribution from: Lola Ornato, Midwife, Whittington NHS Trust   Recorded clips from:  Mars Lord, Sarah Esegbona and Alicia Burnett.    Supported by MATFLIX: www.matflix.co.uk