Dear Ms Macfarlane,

We would be delighted if you could join us for the launch of a new research report, 'When Maternity Doesn’t Matter', that investigates the health impact of dispersal and relocation on pregnant women and new mothers seeking asylum.

Refugee and asylum seeking women are an especially vulnerable group in relation to maternity care and pregnancy outcomes – they are more likely to have poor overall health and may have been affected by traumatic experiences in conflict and war zones such as rape, torture, female genital mutilation or trafficking for sexual exploitation.  These can affect their health during pregnancy and as new mothers and evidence suggests they have a maternal mortality rate at least six times higher than the rest of the population. 

The report is based on personal reports by current or former asylum seeking women and from midwives who have looked after such women before and after dispersal.  The report makes several targeted and practical recommendations that we hope will be of interest to parliamentarians and policy makers.

If you are able to join us for the launch of the report, please RSVP to Maxine McMinn.

Yours sincerely,

Sarah Teather MP          Richard Fuller MP        Fiona Mactaggart MP

**Please bring this invitation with you to access the Houses of Parliament via the Visitor Entrance at Portcullis House and allow twenty minutes to clear security.