Fife family nurse partnership success

Health promotion is at the forefront of NHS Fife’s Family Nurse Partnership, based in Dunfermline, which works with mums aged under-19 to decide on what goals they wish to achieve and to promote living in a “non-judgmental fashion”.

Amongst those benefiting is former Beath High School pupil Sophie Boundy, 17, of Cowdenbeath, who was just 15 when she fell pregnant with her daughter Allyssa.

Sophie decided to have the unplanned baby because she is anti-abortion, then experienced a “rollercoaster of emotions” as sciatica forced her to drop out of her Fife College course.

After many of her old school friends “abandoned” her, Sophie and her painter and decorator apprentice partner Ross, 20, have been supported by family nurse Joanne, who provides support over and above the usual midwifery and health-visitor services.

“I’ve almost had to put my teenage life on hold to prioritise Allyssa,” said Sophie.

“But Joanne is helping me make sure I don’t lose sight of my longer term goals and ambitions. I want to go back to college to do my Highers. I still want to have career. There’s no judging involved. It’s all about building up a trusting relationship.”

Family nurse supervisor Claire Smith, who has been nursing for 33 years, said there are some remarkable statistics around the achievements of clients who have overcome the stigma of teenage pregnancy to go through this home-visiting programme, which works from the 16th week of pregnancy until the baby is two.

It’s been so successful, there are plans to expand the service in Fife.

Picture: George McLuskie. Sophie Boundy, 17, with daughter Allyssa.