By Dr Cheryl Lowes

As a north Liverpool GP and the Liverpool Community Development and Social Prescribing Lead, I have been keen to support the campaign to promote social prescribing in Liverpool.

Our most recent film on social prescribing demonstrates support service for parents, in a bid to address to health inequalities in Liverpool.

Best for Baby Too was produced by Wellbeing Liverpool, a partnership of GPs, other health professionals and community groups working to provide a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

It shows new mums and mums-to-be practical resources for support and urges new mums to make use of social prescribing, which can help them access information and support before and after birth.

Alongside the baby-focused information you’d traditionally get from a midwife or health visitor, social prescribers can help with a range of worries like finances, childcare, confidence and isolation.

The period from when a baby is conceived until they are one is known as the perinatal period. Babies experience rapid neurological growth and physical development during this time.

All parents want the best start in life for their children. We owe it to mums and babies to make it as easy for them as possible. If our Liverpool mums are happy and stress-free, our Liverpool babies will be too.

The city has some of the sharpest health inequalities in the country. A baby girl born in Kensington can expect to live 13 fewer years in good health than one born and raised in Kensington, London. Social prescribing has an important role to play in helping address these health inequalities.

Wellbeing Liverpool is encouraging anyone struggling to ask their GP practice for a social prescriber to help with parenting support, money problems or loneliness. New mums or mums-to-be can also talk to their midwife or health visitor about extra support.

Watch Best for Baby Too at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzdbTzvrPGs