Midwives from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) are tackling health inequalities by bringing specialist maternity care directly into the heart of the community.
In a partnership with Home-Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire, NHSGGC’s Blossom Midwifery Team now delivers care from a newly opened Early Years Hub in Maryhill, a welcoming, trauma-informed space designed to support families from pregnancy through the early years.
This move means women in Glasgow’s North with vulnerabilities during pregnancy can now attend appointments in a familiar, local setting, removing barriers to care and ensuring every woman receives the support she needs, regardless of her circumstances.
Blossom Midwives are specially trained to care for women and families experiencing, or at risk of, vulnerabilities during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Their work is tailored to each women’s unique needs, from supporting the parent-infant relationship to coordinating care across services.
Rhona Galanti, Specialist Midwife at NHSGGC’s Blossom Team, helped design the new clinic space with colleagues and will be based at the hub every Tuesday. She said:
“This is about being where women need us most in a space that feels safe, familiar and supportive.
“By offering appointments here, we’re not just providing clinical care, we’re building relationships, trust and continuity. Women can access a range of services under one roof.”
The hub is especially vital for families who may not engage with traditional health services, including asylum seekers, refugees, and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
The Early Years Hub is the first of its kind in Glasgow and represents a bold new model for family support. It brings together midwifery, perinatal mental health services, and third-sector partners to offer wraparound care during the critical first 1001 days of a child’s life.
Mary Ross-Davie, NHSGGC Director of Midwifery, said:
“This hub is a game-changer. It allows our midwives to work hand-in-hand with community organisations, offering care that’s not only clinically excellent but also culturally sensitive and emotionally supportive. We’re proud to see our midwifery teams leading this work reaching into communities.”
The hub offers a wide range of services including:
- Midwifery appointments for families not engaging with traditional services.
- Parenting programmes like Circle of Security and Solihull.
- Infant feeding support, baby massage, and antenatal/postnatal groups.
- Practical workshops on paediatric first aid, healthy eating, and Starting Solids.
- Weekly family groups, Bookbug sessions, and bespoke dads’ workshops.
With over 250 families expected to benefit each year, the hub is a testament to what’s possible when midwives, charities, and health services come together with a shared vision: to give every child the best start in life.
Nikki O’Hara, Director for Home-Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire, said:
“The Hub is a great example of what’s possible when the community, health, and third sector partners come together with families at the heart of decision making. We are proud to be leading this project and are delighted to be working with partners to ensure babies have the best start in life,” she said.