US-inspired scheme to give local young mothers a brighter future
A US-inspired programme designed to get teenage mothers back to work and cut the number of unintended pregnancies is to be rolled out in the local health board area.
New jobs will be created as part of the pioneering programme after the need for intervention was identified amongst local young first-time mothers.
Paul Morgan, Director of Children and Young People’s Services for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said:
“We are delighted to be bringing the Family Nurse Partnership Programme to young first time parents in the Southern area.
“Five Family Nurses have been appointed for the Trust and plans are well underway to launch the programme mid-October.
“Family Nurse Partnership as an evidence based, evaluated programme has proven to improve health, wellbeing and self-sufficiency of first time young parents and their children.
“Our team are currently raising awareness of the programme amongst health and social care professionals, education and the community and voluntary sectors, with a view to start taking referrals from the beginning of November.”
A test site has already been operating in the Western Health Board area.
The scheme involves nurses visiting expectant mothers every one or two weeks and throughout the first two years of their baby’s life.
The nurses offer guidance in areas such as child development, preventative health measures, parenting skills, breastfeeding, better diet information and on education and employment.
The average cost of the project is £3,000 per client, per year, with the programme lasting two and a half years.
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Weather for Dungannon
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
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