In 2025 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust relaunched the Willow Team – a midwifery team providing continuity of carer for parents-to-be across some areas of Blackburn.
The team of 9 midwives will provide care to those who live in the Shadsworth, Whitebirk and Audley areas at local clinics Shadsworth Childrens Centre, Audley Childrens Centre and Lambeth Street Surgery.
Every family placed under the care of the Willow Team will have a named midwife caring for them throughout their pregnancy and will also have the opportunity to meet the other midwives in the team to ensure that they become familiar with the team providing their care.
The Willow Team has been established following national reports that call for more women to be placed on a continuity of carer pathway. This model of care enables families to build a deeper and more meaningful relationship with their midwife, based on mutual trust and respect for each other.
Continuity of carer is a 24 hour service providing continuity throughout pregnancy, birth and postnatal care. The team will be available to support families throughout their pregnancy journey, whether this is at home, at one of the Birth Centre's in East Lancashire, or at the Central Birth Suite in the Lancashire Women’s and Newborn Centre.