Dr Liz Goodyear’s dedication to promoting women and children’s health in her role as clinical lead for maternity and children at NHS Newham CCG in London has won her recognition. Those who nominated her said: ‘She is trying to deliver co-ordinated and innovative services for women and children who, despite being the largest group in Newham, have been largely ignored.’
The past year has seen Dr Goodyear and her colleagues overhaul services for women and children in the borough. Newham has the youngest population (28% are children and young people) and one of the highest birth rates in England, but Dr Goodyear has been leading the way in tackling a lack of commissioning focus on children or maternity.
As part of this drive, she has helped introduce three pilot projects for vulnerable patients. She has also established, with the help of clinical colleagues from neighbouring boroughs, a commissioners’ forum for maternity and paediatrics.
Meeting young people’s needs is at the top of Dr Goodyear’s agenda – the CCG hosted a workshop in February for teenagers across the borough. ‘It felt like a eureka moment where all the theory could become a reality for those that matter most – the patients and their families,’ she says.
Coming up on Dr Goodyear’s agenda is the rolling out of the ‘children’s academy’ model, which involves providers, commissioners, children and young people and their families coming together in eight areas across Newham to improve health outcomes and shape future services.
